Weekend Mirror 26-27 September, 2020

‘Jobs the right path for economic growth’ – Jagdeo 26-27 September, 2020 / Vol. 11 No. 41 / Price: $100

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2,000+ land transports and titles to be distributed in next 4 months – Croal PAGE 10

PNCR Executive received millions via untraceable company to print birth certificates PAGE 2

Nationwide consultations for constitutional reform – AG PAGE 3

SEE INSIDE APNU+AFC continues to betray Amerindians, again and again PAGE 9 How the PAGE 23 aging immune system makes older people vulnerable to COVID-19

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Lessons for Grades 1-3

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Ramjattan bypassed procedures to issue firearm licences – Benn

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one-man show was the order of the day at the Ministry of Home Affairs, formerly Ministry of Public Security, under the leadership of Khemraj Ramjattan, according to Minister Robeson Benn.

And he explained that his predecessor bypassed procedures to issue firearm licences, specifically bypassing the Firearm Licensing Board.

These actions, according to Benn, were escalated in 2020, while the

APNU+AFC Coalition was in caretaker mode.

He said, “It appears as though 2020 was a banner year for the issuance of firearms at the hand of the Minister [Ramjattan] without the engagement of the Firearm Licensing Board.

61 per cent of all firearms issued in 2020 were issued at the hands of the Minister without the engaging of the Firearm Licensing Board.”

There is a three-stage process for licensing. It begins with an application

letter being sent to the Divisional Commander, who assigns a rank to check on the applicant’s character in his or her community. The application is then sent to the Commissioner’s Office to ensure that the applicant has no previous antecedents or convictions. The application then goes to the Firearm Licensing Board. It is then decided, at that stage, whether the applicant is fit.

If so, the application is sent to the Minister for the final stamp of approval.

WEEKEND MIRROR 26-27 SEPTEMBER, 2020

Coalition paid one climate change consultant $1.2M per month

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ith Budget 2020 under scrutiny, so is the spending by the APNU+AFC Coalition between January to August 2020. And it was revealed that the Coalition handed over $1 million of taxpayers’ monies, per month, to one person.

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, noted that the former government paid the consultant US$6,000 or $1.2 million a month. Under questioning she explained that the consultant was attached to the Office of the President and specialises in climate change. She said, “The consultant is in the PMO (Project Management Office)…he is dealing with climate change… $120 million was spent in 2019…this consultant is paid approxi-

mately US$6000 a month,” she explained.

Payments to the consultant were being made under line item 6294, other, in the area of Policy Development and Administration under the Office of the President.

A sum of $120.2 million was allocated in the 2019 budget for this line item, with a further $34.1 million budgeted for 2020. Teixeira laid out how the money was used.

While Teixeira did not name the consultant, it did not take long for Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon to spill the beans. In a video broadcast, Harmon, who as former Minister of State would have had oversight of the consultant, identified him as Office of the President Project Manager Dr Marlon Bristol. In trying to

defend the spending, Harmon said one of Bristol’s accomplishments is the Green State Development Strategy (GSDS) – a document that has been widely criticized in the public. “Dr Marlon Bristol is well researched.

He’s well written. Anyone can go and google and check on the quality of his work,” said Harmon, who himself earned $900,000 per month plus benefits as Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency until he was fired by the PPP Government.

Notably, in June 2019, Bristol was among a number of public officials who were identified as having received large tracts of land, including 12 acres in Dalawala, Linden.

He got these tracts of lands within two years of applying.

PNCR Executive received millions via untraceable company to print birth certificates

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he controversial Larry London, who has long been closely linked to the former APNU+AFC Coalition government and is a PNCR Executive, is behind an untraceable foreign company that received a multi-million dollar Government contract to print birth certificates.

The disclosure was made

by Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance during a review of spending by former Minister Winston Felix and his Department of Citizenship.

According to Teixeira, the $29.1 million allocation was paid to London’s Florida-based company called Universal Procurement Services. “(The money) covers the purchase of birth certificates. Some bought in May 2019 and paid for in 2020.

And some purchased in 2020 and paid for. These birth certificates were purchased from a company in Florida and the value of this contract is probably US$150,000 in total.”

She added, “The 2019 purchases and the 2020 purchases for birth certificates are $23 million for this year.

They were purchased by Universal Procurement Services, a company in Miramar, Florida. However, the contract has been signed by Mr Larry London. So, I’m not sure what is the proficiency of this company, nor the due diligence on this company.

It’s the first time I’ve ever heard of it, because I know that, having been a Minister of Home Affairs myself and I know my colleagues who were there subsequently, birth certificates used to be published in Guyana with the local printers, with safety and security watermarks put in.

So, I find this rather unusual and strange.”

However, a perusal of the database shows that the company’s status is, in fact, inactive. The company itself, Universal Procurement Services, was registered with Florida’s Division of Corporations. London is listed as one of three directors. Universal Procurement Services Incorporated is filed as a Domestic for Profit Corporation.

This corporate entity was filed approximately 13 years ago on Wednesday, February 14, 2007 at two known addresses— 15221 SW 20th St Hollywood, FL 33027 and 15221 SW 20th St Miramar, FL 3302, as recorded in documents filed with the Florida Department of State.

DIRECTOR OF PARKS Last month, it was exposed that London held the position of Director of Parks under the Coalition government.

Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, in comments in this matter, had said, “You have some jobs I never heard about… You have a man getting $500,000-take home, all light bills, phone bills paid, Internet bill paid, a guard and a driver, and car and duty-free concession in ‘A’ Grade, and he gets a 22.5 per cent gratuity every six months with a position as Director of Parks. What is that!

What is that! And you have hundreds of those creations all over.”

London, whose contract expires on January 31, 2021, received a salary of $489,000 monthly, and 22.5 per cent of his six-month salary twice yearly. Approximate benefits and average spending per

month includes, but were not limited to, allowances of $25,000 for entertainment, unlimited overseas and local calls, security services which can run to around $150,000 per month, Internet at 15,000, duty-free concessions (Scale ‘A’) and a vacation allowance of $489,000. Maintaining his position would have cost taxpayers almost $2M per month.

INVESTIGATION The contract awarded to London, having been exposed, will now be subject to an investigation.

Auditor General Deodat Sharma explained that the contract is being audited as part of the 2019 audit cycle.

While Sharma could not share details on the audit, he assured that it will form part of the 2019 Audit Report of Guyana. However, he noted that they are likely to also do a special audit on the contract. “We have started something already, its part of my 2019 audit, so I’m glad it was brought to attention in Parliament… which I’m finalising. And we’re doing a special audit of it,” Sharma explained.

With respect to the release of the 2019 report, Sharma explained that COVID-10 has created an unprecedented environment.

It is therefore likely that the report will be released later than its usual September 30, 2020.

Further, Nandlall has written to the Auditor General requesting that an immediate forensic audit be commissioned to examine the facts and circumstances surrounding the contract awarded to London.

Nandlall, in a letter to Sharma, asked that the contract between the then Department of Citizenship and Universal Procurement Services Inc – which is operated

by London in Florida – be audited to answer a number of questions. The audit should be able to tell whether there was compliance with the provisions of the Procurement Act and if there was non-compliance then the reasons must be stated; reasons why the services of the conventional publisher of the birth certificates were not sought; had the services of the conventional publisher be retained then what would have been the estimated cost to print and publish the same documents. Additionally, the Audit Office is tasked with determining the status of London’s company at the time when he entered into contract with the Winston Felix-led Department of Citizenship; what was the company’s main line of business; its experience in the field of services it was providing to the Government.

The report would also answer the questions as to whether due diligence was done before the David Granger-led Government retained the services of London; whether the department needed 100,000 birth certificate forms at the time of the contract and the quality of the documents that were produced.

D’URBAN PARK London was also named as being behind the controversial D’Urban Park Project.

A Special Audit into the construction of the Durban Park Jubilee Stadium was conducted by the Audit Of-

fice and while the audit has not been completed, the findings uncovered to date were included in the leaked 2018 Auditor General’s Report.

The report noted that construction commenced in 2015 in preparation for Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary to be celebrated in 2016.

A private company named Homestretch Development Inc. (HDI) was created to implement this Project. As at 31 December 2017, amounts totalling $1.150 billion, were expended.

However, of that $1.15 billion, payment vouchers to support expenditure totalling $107.119M were not produced for audit examination.

“As such, the completeness, accuracy, and validity of this amount could not be determined,” the Auditor General’s report said.

Additionally, the amount of $500M was paid to HDI in 2017 by the Ministry to enable HDI to meet its obligation to its creditors.

However, there was no documentation attached to the Payment Vouchers to indicate the works done, supervisory checks carried out on the works, as well as certification that the works were satisfactorily completed. The report said, “Only the list of HDI creditors and Government’s proposed payment allocation to each creditor was attached to the Payment Vouchers.

In the circumstances, the correctness, accuracy and validity of the payments made could not be determined.”

The increasingly controversial matter of financing and management of the D’Urban Park project started when works commenced in September 2015.

From September 2015 to date, there are three periods that are distinct in reviewing when taxpayers’ monies was spent: • From September 2015 to January 22, 2016; • From January 22, 2016 to April 21, 2016; and • From April 21, 2016 to date.

From September 2015 to January 22, 2016, an estimated millions of dollars in donations, as well as contributions of equipment and labour, were collected. Government has released some names of donors, but there are some persons who contend that they were not listed.

From January 22, 2016, Homestretch Development Incorporated – headed by London – took reins of the financing and management of the D’urban Park project.

The name of the company was made by public by Minister David Patterson in the National Assembly on November 21, 2016. It should be noted that once a company takes on status of incorporated, it must be registered before it begins official operation – making involvement of Homestretch Development Incorporated on the project legal from January 22, 2016. The company was registered on January 22nd, 2016 and its number is 8247. The registered address is Lot 18 Lamaha Street. The directors of Homestretch Development Incorporated are Education Minister, Rupert Roopnaraine, Larry London, Bobita Ram, Gentian Miller and Victor Wilson. From January 22, 2016 to April 21, 2016, there is again no account given to the (From page 3)

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WEEKEND MIRROR 26-27 SEPTEMBER, 2020

Nationwide consultations for constitutional reform – AG

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s promised, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government will soon commence the process on constitutional reform with nationwide consultation, but will start the discussions in the National Assembly, according to Attorney-General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall.

“Work will begin shortly, right here in this House, utilising the Standing Committee on Constitutional Reform as the launching pad to execute our government’s agenda on constitutional reform. I must emphasise that this process will be driven by a very broad-based vehicle, comprising of Government, the Opposition on the one hand, and civil society on the other hand, in an equal partnership, and will embrace nationwide consultation,” he said.

Nandlall said the Legal Affairs Ministry was dormant

for the past five years under the previous administration.

As such, work is being done on several critical bills within the next four months. They include a Bail Bill, a Hire Purchase Bill, and an Arbitration Bill, amendments to the Companies Act, as well as a series of legislation for the petroleum industry.

Further, discussions will be held in the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Constitutional Reform, where the modalities will be worked out. “Our approach to constitutional reform will not be government-driven; it will be government in partnership with the Parliamentary Opposition, in partnership with civil society in a multi-stakeholder drive, and it will be driven by the people of this country, who will be consulted nationally,” the Attorney-General stated.

Contributions from the con-

sultations will be analysed to begin the process.

NO ONE-MAN SHOW Last year, President Irfaan Ali had made clear that constitutional reform is not a one-man show or a “room party” given its importance.

Head had said, “We are in for continuous [constitutional] reform but it must originate from the people. It must be done through a consultative mechanism where the people are involved, where the people have a say because ultimately, the Constitution is a reflection of the will of the people. “…the Government must not impose on the people, saying this is what we want and out of the Constitution reform you might find that people want referendum on certain or particular issues.

But we’re willing enough to go the step further and this is

the type of constitutional reform that will be meaningful for our country and people.”

Over the past few years, under the former APNU+AFC Coalition government, constitutional reform has been before a parliamentary committee. There is a Constitutional Reform Commission bill that was to be examined by the committee. But there have been accusations made of members of the committee stalling the process.

CLEAR POSITION In 2017, in response to queries from the media corps on the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) position on constitutional reform and the participation of international bodies, the Party’s General Secretary and Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, explained that the Party’s position is clear.

He said, “The process of constitutional reform was always seen as one that would be continuous, an intention that was enshrined in Article 119 (A) of the Constitution.

The PPP/C, therefore, remains open to the process of constitutional reform – a process that is locally driven and one that will see the involvement of the widest possible cross-section of stakeholders, including collaboration from international bodies.

“We have to ensure that the process by which we arrive at any proposed changes, if any, to the Constitution must be transparent and must find acceptance among all stakeholders.

“However, we have concerns about the several egregious breaches of the Constitution by the Coalition government – breaches that have been exposed by the political Opposition via

statements and positions iterated by our Members of Parliament (MPs). These breaches are not limited to matters affecting the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), the judiciary and the functioning of the statutory bodies. The PPP/C expects those advocating for constitutional changes to be just as strident in their criticism and condemnation of these breaches.

“Let me repeat that we are prepared to work with civil society, international partners and others through a transparent, nationally-led process that involves all sections of Guyanese society, in determining whether changes should be made to our Constitution. However, we are very concerned about the silence surrounding the daily breaches of our Constitution by the Coalition government.”

Closed sugar estates likely Petroleum Task Force to explore to reopen, begin production gas to shore A in 2021 – Agri Minister A ll things being equal, the shuttered sugar estates will start functioning again could start producing sugar sometime next year, according to Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha While not identifying a specific date, he said, “The damage that was done there by the APNU/AFC, they were about to destroy the entire estates, what they did with Wales, they were trying to do with Enmore, Skeldon and Rose Hall, but due to the elections being held earlier, we won the elections; and we will open those estates. I can’t give you a specific date…I am hoping that by first or second crop next year, we should have sugar coming out of these factories.”

He made the disclosure following a heated exchange between himself and Coalition of Parliament, Khemraj Ramjattan, during the consideration of the Current and Capital Estimates in Budget 2020 for the Ministry of Agriculture.

Not long after the Coalition Government took office

in May 2015, it moved to close several of the sugar estates, putting thousands of workers on the breadline. he PPP/C had campaigned on a promise to revitalise the sugar sector and to reemploy those persons who were fired by the coalition. In this year’s Emergency Budget, the Government allocated $3 billion to the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) for its recapitalisation and to commence the process of reopening the estates.

Ramjattan, who is opposed to the reopening of the estates, questioned what the $3 billion will be used for and if any study was done to determine how much money it would take to reopen each of the estates. Minister Mustapha responded by saying that part of the money will be used for the recapitalisation of the estates because they are in a terrible state. He explained that for Enmore, there is an estimated cost so far of $778 million, Rosehall $710 million and Skeldon $711 million.

Mustapha added that the remainder of the total sum

will go to the other estates to do capital works because those estates are grinding at around 40 to 50 per cent right now “because of neglect over the last five years”. “We had said we will revitalise sugar and we will reemploy Guyanese people who were dismissed by the previous Government,” Mustapha told the House.

Ramjattan then interjected saying: “You don’t do budgeting like that, whenever there is a capital expenditure like that, this massive sum, you must have what is called a project profile”.

The Minister responded by saying that there were several studies done by various organisations before. Mustapha noted that currently, technical teams are at the estates and are working to determine what is need to have the estates reopened. “We will have to do a lot of work, a number of equipment was sold out at cheap prices to friends and families,” he expressed.

The closure of the sugar estates put thousands of Guyanese on the breadline.

petroleum task force will soon be set up and will explore the possibilities of bringing natural gas to shore as the administration advances its plans to diversify and expand power supply, according to Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat.

“They will look at the previous study to see how it fits into our policies and programmes to bring gas to shore,” Minister Bharrat said

on Wednesday (September 23, 2020).

The working group will focus on the enhancement of the legal framework, capacity building of key institutions, and project management.

“It will also look at power generation utilised from this project as early as possible so Guyanese can have cheaper and more efficient supply,” he said.

The task force will comprise members from key

agencies. The cost of consultations and logistics for the group has been allocated in the budget.

“The task force will be from members who are already in the system, for example, EPA, GGMC and other agencies so they will not be paid a salary, the expenses will basically be for logistics, project management, consultations and meetings, but not remuneration,” the Minister said.

PNCR Executive received millions via untraceable company... (From page 2) Guyanese people. It is also unclear how Homestretch Development Incorporated became involved in the project, since the company could not have started work of that magnitude on State property without a Cabinet decision and a Memorandum of Understanding, a contract or agreement.

From April 22, 2016, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure took over the project.

What is known for certain is that works on the D’urban Park project, in April 2016, were tendered out using the selective tendering system, according to Public Infrastructure Minister Patterson. His response came to questions on the $407.6M

spent for the completion of the D’urban Park project for 50th independence anniversary. The money already was been spent and the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government came afterwards for parliamentary approval for the monies. Prior to that, the National Assembly by government majority approved another $150M for the same project. In Budget 2017, another $500M is allocated to the Ministry to be given to Homestretch Development Inc. to pay off the debts it racked up.

According to the report, the Audit Office wrote the Permanent Secretary, Minis-

try of Public Infrastructure on 19 July 2018 requesting documentation detailing the works done, supervisory checks of the said works, as well as certification that works were satisfactorily completed. The Head of Budget Agency explained that the Ministry was not involved in the operations of HDI. Hence, it did not have any information detailing supervisory checks or their methodology of determining that works were satisfactorily completed.

The Audit Office of Guyana undertook a special audit in accordance with Section 26 of the Audit Act 2004, on the construction of the Durban Park Jubilee Stadium.

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WEEKEND MIRROR 26-27 SEPTEMBER, 2020

EDITORIAL

Budget 2020 Nicolette Henry guilty of a step in the malfeasance in public office right direction Dear Editor,

T

he budget presentations and detailed scrutiny of the estimates, this week, by the Parliamentarians from both the Opposition and the PPP/C Government have been very revealing.

In the debates, what has been revealed is that the Government Parliamentarians were well prepared and are fully cognizant of the contents of Budget 2020, the justification for the items in the budget about how the citizens of Guyana will benefit. On the other hand the Opposition parliamentarians appear woefully uninformed and one can deduce from their presentations that they are either deliberately lying to the Guyanese public or are at best being disingenuous.

In the scrutiny of the estimates, the wastage by the former APNU+AFC Coalition government, as well as the spending on things that did not create value for the Guyanese people was exposed. The economic mismanagement and corruption was also high on the cards – a classic example of this being that over $250 million in spending under the SLED programme cannot be accounted for. The scrutiny also exposed the fact that oftentimes monies were spent by the APNU+AFC Coalition on items that were either not needed, or inadequate to perform the function they were bought for. This has therefore resulted in the current administration having to spend monies to rectify their mistakes.

Despite this, however, the PPP/C government was able to produce a budget that will literally put monies in the pockets of our citizens.

There is the cash grant for our students, along with the uniform allowance. Not to mention the $25,000 earmarked for households affected by the pandemic. Funds are also set aside to be distributed to our brave essential workers. The moving of the limit for Mortgage Relief from $15million to $30million will see about 55% of mortgage borrowers being reimbursed anywhere from $500 thousand to $1,000 annually.

This is a perfect example of the government enhancing our citizens spending capacity.

Further, the removal of VAT on construction materials, electricity and many other items are in effect placing more monies in the pockets of all Guyanese. Old age pension has been increased, and our pensioners will now enjoy free water from GWI. These are initiative that will bring great relief to all Guyanese, but especially those that need it most.

This budget is a people friendly budget, which will go a long way in alleviating the strife many of our citizens suffered over the past nine months.

That said, no amount of spurious lies and assertions being spewed by the APNU+AFC Coalition, in the Opposition benches, will distract from the undeniable truth, that this budget has placed us all on a path to prosperity.

The PPP/C government’s achievements so far demonstrates the capacity of this government, and their achievements to date only serve to highlight the incompetence and the uncaring nature of the previous administration.

Budget 2020 is an undeniable step in the right direction.

T

he 2020 Budget debate and the considerations of the budget allocations for the various Ministries really are a compendium of public malfeasance in office by Ministers of the previous APNU+AFC Government. From start to finish, these 2020 budgetary proceedings in Parliament have been revealing.

On Wednesday, September 23, during the consideration of the budget for the Ministry of Education, Ms. Nicolette Henry was the latest former Minister who exposed further her malfeasance in public office.

Nicolette Henry, the former Minister of Education, may think she is full of chutzpah, but the truth is she is really very brazen. She stood in Parliament and lamented that virtually all the teachers in the Caribbean have been trained in delivering the school curriculum using new tools in this era of COVID-19, except for the Guyanese teachers. In her lament, she tried placing the blame on the new Minister of Education, the Honorable Priya Manikchand. But Minister Manikchand quickly reminded Ms. Henry and her APNU+AFC colleagues and the people of Guyana why our teachers are only now receiving such training. For five vital months, instead of focusing on the training of teachers to deliver education with new tools and new methods, Ms. Henry was busy with her colleagues trying to thief the elections. She did not care about our children or our teachers in that critical period as COVID-19 forced the closure of schools.

Now, in just one month after the new government finally assumed their rightful place, teachers are being trained.

Ms. Henry conveniently pretended she had nothing to do with the failure to have Guyana's teachers trained in new methods to deliver education. In fact, that egregious failure of APNU+AFC represents malfeasance in public office and Ms. Henry as the then Education Minister is the one that bears full responsibility. She should have stood in Parliament this week, first, apologizing to the people of Guyana, and, second, commending the new Minister and the new Government for starting this training so quickly. It is already very late in the year, but it is better late than never. Nothing will change the hard, cold facts - Ms. Henry and APNU+AFC recklessly allowed five months to elapse without ever starting the training, even as our Caribbean counterparts started and completed their training. It was not just brazen for Henry to stand there pointing her fingers, it was insulting the intelligence of the Guyanese people.

But then again, it was the same Henry that once stood with her colleagues and tried persuading the children and people of Guyana and the world that 33 is not more than 32.

During these same deliberations, Henry wanted information about a learning package for the 27,000 nursery children. These learning package which constitute workbooks and other learning materials are as a result of a foreign-funded project that started during the COVID-19 closure of schools when Nicolette Henry was Minister. She desperately tried to hide the fact she did not know what that program was about, what were the contents of the package.

Minister Manikchand again rebuked her and exposed her total lack of knowledge of a program that started when Henry

was Minister. But why should anyone expect that Ms. Henry would know?

After all she was totally consumed with what was more important to her at the time - thieving an election, The children of Guyana was of no concern to Henry at the time. But it is a blessing that the people of Guyana ensured that Ms. Henry finds herself in the Opposition benches because in those opposition benches she has experienced a eureka moment - she suddenly recognizes how important it is that teachers become trained in new methods of teaching and that it is important to know what are contained in the learning package for nursery school children. If only she knew that more than six months ago!

Ms. Henry is just the latest APNU+AFC MP demonstrating that brazen is something they wear as a badge of honor. Not to be outdone on the same day was Annette Ferguson who wagged her fingers and claimed APNU+AFC never terminated the "Because We Care" $10,000 cash grant for school children. We know that the cash grant was introduced by the PPP. We know that the cash grant was paid out for every school child in 2014. We also know sadly that APNU+AFC ended the program immediately in 2015. Not a single child got the $10,000 cash grant in 2015 or in 2016 or in 2017 or in 2018 or in 2019. So I challenge Ferguson, if APNU+AFC did not terminate the cash grant program, to tell the nation of a single child in the last five years that got the cash grant. Make no mistake these APNU+AFC are disgustingly brazen.

Sincerely, L. Ramsammy

Senseless action by the parliamentary Opposition Dear Editor,

P

lease grant me some space within your newspaper to offer my views on the headline of the Guyana Times Wednesday edition, dated 23rd September 2020 and titled “APNU MPs vote against monies for developing indigenous communities”.

Editor, such an article is very surprising, vexatious, and frustrating to know that our parliamentary Opposition have no intentions for the development of the Indigenous peoples of Guyana. The Amerindian people are lacking tremendously in terms of infrastructure, education, health, and the list goes on; and I feel that the entire country owes the First Peoples for their meaningful contribution towards the development of this beautiful country Guyana.

The Indigenous Peoples in today’s society are marginalised. They are be-

ing robbed of their hard-earned wages by their employers, and many times they are unable to acquire decent employment, due to many barriers such as the different languages that they speak, and the location where they are living.

Editor, I find this very frustrating, since our parliamentary Opposition, when they were on the campaign line, entered many Indigenous villages and promise many good things that the Indigenous Peoples would be benefiting from, and thus persuade thousands of Indigenous peoples to vote for them. And today, even though they are not in Government, it is expected that they would represent the welfare of the Guyanese people, including the many Indigenous peoples that marked their X next to the Coalition’s symbol.

Editor, is this the thanks that they are giving to the thousands of Indige-

nous supporters, who wholeheartedly voted for them? The 825 million that was budgeted for the Amerindian People will be a great help towards our welfare, since we will have many urgent projects to embark upon, and it will provide employment, academic learning, and raise the economic and financial status of many Indigenous communities in Guyana.

A big “hats off!” for the new People’s Progressive Party Government, that from this emergency budget alone they showcase that they intend to keep their promises; and not only that, but ensure that the Guyanese people have a better life even though we are in difficult times during this Global COVID-19 pandemic.

Yours respectfully, Robin Joseph Councillor, Waramuri Village Council

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WEEKEND MIRROR 26-27 SEPTEMBER, 2020 sheet” and must be seen as a “socio-economic entity”. He also provided vitally important reasons why any Government should ensure that sugar is kept alive quoting the example of the USA subsidising agriculture to the tune of billions annually. He stressed that monies allocated to GuySuCo must not be seen as “bailouts” but rather as a Government “taking care of the needs of the people”. No truer statement has ever been made and the Minister has made another indelible impression in the hearts of Guyanese.

Let Ramjattan digest these factual statements: the $30 billion “largesse” was meant to ensure that the fat cats are well-fed and the monies are squandered, filling the pockets of those in the SPU and by extension some in the Government. It must be painfully recalled that even though GuySuCo was given an average annual subsidy of $5 billion, all the estates were operational, foreign exchange in excess of $100 million US was garnered from exports, jobs were saved and workers were enjoying a reasonable standard of living, communities were thriving, and the US dollar was stabilised. In addition, there was little flooding, residents were getting assistance from GuySuCo, but today the resources-starved entity could hardly help itself. The CoI saw these benefits to the economy and advised against any closure! But how can we expect a man like Ramjattan to have this vision?

As with other ‘blood-sucking’ measures such as increased taxation and VAT which the coalition had used to erode the standard of living of Guyanese, Minister Mustapha made it pellucid that these “unconscionable measures” will be reversed not only by reopening three of the closed estates but will create a Wales Development Authority to work with former workers’ start-up agriculture value chains which will utilise agro-produce from the outlying areas to process them into value-added products. This will employ at least 3000 persons.

This is a visionary Minister thinking outside of the box with workable plans. Already the Rose Hall Estate has employed more than 400 dismissed sugar workers to resuscitate the estate and the same is being done at the other 2 estates. The PPP/C Government has allocat-

ed $5 billion for recapitalisation and operation of the estates. Imagine the financial strain and burden which the coalition has placed on the Government.

It’s ironical that the coalition had spent billions to close the estates and plunged the entire socio-economic strata of the country into Ramjattan’s “dark hole”. The former Finance Minister had said that the closed estates will not be “mothballed” but remain operational to attract “investors”. Well, most definitely he did not use mothballs but cannonballs since the current state of the closed estates will bear testimony to this.

The august Minister outlined the plans for GuySuCo for the next 5 years which will see the implementation of measures to promote a diversified agriculture-based economy; create more jobs and increase the income of farmers. He emphasised that this will be done by modernising and upgrading infrastructure, strengthening support services, robust marketing systems at local and international levels and increasing Guyana’s market share by tapping into the US$5 billion food import bill of the Caricom region.

We have already seen that the relations between Guyana and the US are being greatly enhanced by the visit of the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

It is an undeniable fact that the coalition had woefully neglected the agriculture sector as is evidenced by the volumes of irrefutable data which Minister Zulfikar dashed into the face of the APNU/AFC. Oil will be the panacea for all our social and economic ills, the coalition had reasoned, oblivious of the ‘oil curse’!

The coalition had been, for their entire term in office, piloting Guyana on the course of the oil curse which would have resulted by their wilful neglect and incompetence.

Thankfully, this agriculture budget crafted and presented by the Minister will reverse this ‘oil curse’ route and bring back the sector to its former glory prior to the coalition unleashing its “weapon of mass destruction” on our beautiful country.

Let the chips fall where they may

public attempt to steal the right to govern.

The consequences for such brutality must be decisive and deterring to those who have such clandestine interests in the future. This nation cannot afford to live through another 2020 episode with the current status of GECOM. Hence, the necessary changes must be made quickly so that we could have clean, free and fair elections. All the riggers and dishonest persons at GECOM must be made as examples so that the others must never attempt to do any cheating at elections.

It is known that since the December 21, 2018 passing of the No-Confidence Motion, the wicked rigging cabal started to perpetuate themselves in office. Their abuse of the Consolidated Fund was without restraint and it did not matter who suffered. It is, therefore, hoped that in the examination of these budget estimates, the facts and truth regarding constitutional and other breaches would expose the guilty parties.

I suggest that Mr Lowenfield should not be on the job after being charged and call for the strongest actions to be taken against the perpetrators including surcharging and garnishment, where these fall in the powers of the Assembly. In this unwarranted attack on the civility of our people, we must be thorough, decisive, and let the chips fall where they may.

Coalition ironically spent billions to close the estates and plunged the entire socio-economic strata of the country into ‘dark hole’ Dear Editor,

T

he Agriculture Minister, the Honourable Zulfikar Mustapha’s words will reverberate in the minds of Guyanese for a long time to come when he profoundly declared to the coalition in Parliament that sugar had “lost its taste” under the APNU/AFC Administration, but the “sweetness of sugar” will return under the PPP/C Government.

No doubt the coalition did everything in their power to make sugar bitter and unpalatable as the Minister reminded Khemraj Ramjattan of the ultimate insult he cast on the industry by scornfully referring to it as a “black hole” which was robbing the other sectors of financial resources. He even blamed the sugar industry for the wages and salaries woes of the public servants.

He unabashedly claimed that “cane sugar days are over and the rightsizing the coalition did was very much in order” but this was the same man who during the 2015 election campaign had promised the sugar workers 20 per cent wages increase and “vowed” to make sugar profitable again. What Ramjattan should have accepted is the fact that even the “right-sizing” was a miserable failure since the APNU/AFC never had the will to bring sugar back alive, they wanted it dead just to spite the sugar workers who are perceived as PPP/C supporters.

It is also evidenced that in his induced amnesiac state, Ramjattan did not mention

Dear Editor,

O

ur President Irfaan Ali-led Administration is swiftly moving to address essential matters of governance and to reverse many ills that the nation suffered in ways told and untold. Clearly, there is much to be addressed in moving the country forward, and in ensuring that no Guyanese is made to struggle in the dictatorial filth we found ourselves leading up to and postMarch 2, 2020.

As we welcome the United States of America Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Guyanese are indeed thankful to him and his ‘Good Office’, for their decisive role and highly appreciated interventions which aided a return of democracy in Guyana.

This visit to our shores evidences a commitment of support for democratically elected Governments, establishes a platform for examination and removal of the weeds of discords, as well as the advancement of mutual developmental interests.

Understandably, matters of the ongoing budget would have assumed its pinnacled position on the priority list, since the last approval of appropriations was approximately two years ago. Lest we forget, albeit, providing $4.9 billion for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) in this

the findings of the multimillion-dollar CoI which his Government had carried out which recommended no closure of any estate but a five-year plan to turnaround the industry.

When the coalition spoke about “right-sizing” it was just a synonym for the closure of the entire industry so they began to create excuses for that.

This vindictiveness is still evidenced when Ramjattan claimed during his debate speech that the PPP/C Government’s aim is to “reward” its political base. This is a typical case of “mouth open, story jump out!” Imagine even after all the sufferings his Government cast upon the sugar workers, their families and the various communities, he is still bent on echoing the Congress Place narrative feigning absolute amnesia to even the rhetoric which Granger himself spun about Guyana being the “sugar bowl” of the Caribbean. The “right-sizing” had resulted in a rapid decline in the annual sugar production and the losses became bigger even though meagre targets were set.

The industry produced the lowest amount in 2019 since 1923 and according to Minister Mustapha, 2020 will be far worse. It would seem that the coalition has a penchant for breaking its own record when it comes to underachievement and incompetence.

The Minister also made a very profound statement when he said that GuySuCo is more than about the profitability of the estates, it must be considered “beyond the balance

2020 budget, it is necessary and most opportune to objectively look at a holistic review of GECOM. There is no doubt that the organisation’s demonstrated performance in the recent elections, lacks the required level of transparency and accountability which has diminished the national and country image.

Contributing factors included the fact that Mr Granger and the PNC did not care.

They were living their good lives and had the benefit of their own experience and good memory, of the particular role the Chairman of the GECOM played in facilitating dangerous and biased activities of the staff since 1973. They did their best to appoint their own darling Chairman and appoint special staff at GECOM, leading to the tremendous damage of the face and soul of the organisation. We can no longer go forward in this way!

Today this nation still bleeds after the PNC-elected Commissioners at GECOM kept their ‘foot’ on our people’s throats for more than five long months. Their roles were consistently in conflict with our constitutional intent and suffocating of the will of the Guyanese people. The complicit admittance by the Chief Elections Officer that he had overseen fraudulent practices, as well as his attempts to disenfranchise

over 115,000 legitimate voters is a travesty which demands the most detailed investigations.

The people of Guyana cannot continue to fund such contemptuous self-admitting fraudsters who may have succeeded, had it not been for the courts upholding the rule of law and the countering supportive roles played by the powerful Western diplomats in particular, and the international community at large. They stood firm in rejecting the abuse of our electoral system which clearly must be strengthened, and the necessary cleansing must be done with urgency along with the advancement of constitutional reforms. It is clear now how diplomats around the world can play a major role in solving ‘political’ issues in a peaceful way.

It was clear for all to see that the PNC with all their ‘rigging’ experience and bullying attitude, were hell-bent on stealing the 2020 elections in Guyana. They have proved to be a shameless bunch, who continue to demonstrate overwhelming measures of vengefulness with care and caution.

Comparatively, it required the mature leadership of the PPP along with a total united embrace of the other contesting Parties to keep the peaceful struggle legal and effective. Never in the region and around the world has one witnessed such blatant and

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

6

The best defence against all kinds of hate is an informed, unified nation Dear Editor,

O

ver the past few days, many of us have cried a number of times over the barbaric, sadistic and uncivilized actions that some Guyanese are doing to each other.

Thankfully, we have to commend and support President Irfaan Ali in how he is dealing with the inhuman and violent actions. The President has equally condemned the murder and torture of African and Indian teenagers, and the violent attacks on innocent people going about their daily business.

From all religions, professions, businesses, ethnic communities and classes, more and more organizations and individuals, and many media outlets, are making a balanced and equal condemnation of hate, murder and violence, regardless of ethnicity, class or gender.

For a long time, every single Guyanese has been waiting, hoping and praying for Guyana to be a better place for all our children to live in peace where they will not be judged by their ethnicity or class, but by the content of their character.

To achieve that better place, we have to start first of all with we the people, not the leaders. Michael Jackson, the great musical icon, advised that “if you want to make the world a better place, look in the mirror and make the change.”

We all grew up with prejudices. Each of

us has to look inside ourselves for biases and stereotypes that underlie hate.

Whether we are of African, Indian, Indigenous, Mixed, Portuguese, Chinese or European descent, each person is valuable and no one Guyanese is less free than another. If we want to be free, we have to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.

Gladson Henry, the father of the late 16-year old Isaiah Henry, is a true humanist and Guyanese patriot. Mr. Henry’s words touch our hearts and souls. He said, “I am not racist. I still love my Indian brothers and sisters. Many of my friends are Indians who gave me the nickname of “geerah”.

Isaiah also had Indian friends. I am calling for justice and peaceful protests. I am not supporting immoral protesting.”

All Guyanese have to follow Gladson Henry’s example. Every time when PPP/C and APNU/AFC supporters talk about the murders and violence, we have to totally reject all hate crimes, regardless of ethnicity or class. We know that people who hate come in all sizes, shapes, colors, ethnicities and classes.

We should be guided by the well-known quote from Nelson Mandela who stated that “No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can

WEEKEND MIRROR 26-27 SEPTEMBER, 2020 be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”

At all times, we must express to the families and communities of the victims our deepest condolences. We want them to know that they are not alone in their anger and deep sorrow. We have to support the families with words and actions of kindness and goodness so that the murders are never forgotten.

Every Guyanese, man, woman and child need to say two things in the same sentence.

We must condemn the hate crimes and torture of the Henry, Jonas and Singh teenagers and call for the inhuman murderers to face swift and harsh justice, and then, we must equally condemn the inhuman violence against innocent people on the roads and in the communities.

We cannot be one-sided. We do not want any of our Guyanese brothers and sisters to remember that we were selectively silent and ignored some of the murders and violence. We do not condone or accept any hate crimes. If left unchallenged, all kinds of hate will persist and grow.

Let us heed the words of Martin Luther King Jr. who stated that “lives begin to end, the day we become silent about things that matter” and “we must pursue peaceful ends, through peaceful means”.

Regrettably, so far, except for Ms. Volda Lawrence and Mr. James Bond, many of the APNU/AFC leaders are not publicly making a balanced and equal condemnation of the hate, murders and violence.

What is to be done? The best defence against all kinds of hate is an informed and unified nation that has space for dialogue and action to build “hate free zones” across all of our communities.

We are not helpless. We the people have the power to overcome ignorance and fear, and to positively influence our children, friends and co-workers. When we demonstrate in our words and behaviour a deep respect for other cultures, our children will likely do the same.

In our homes, schools, workplaces and in our faith communities, as PPP/C and APNU/ AFC supporters, together we must speak up and condemn intolerance, hate, torture and murder.

Beyond the present situation, we have to develop long-term solutions to address the root causes of hate and intolerance.

More parents have to work with teachers to build positive racial relations in and across schools.

Across the ethnic communities, we have to reach out and organize safe spaces for sports competitions, vigils, inter-faith (Christian, Hindu and Muslim) services, “bottom house dialogues”, and music and food festivals to celebrate our nation’s diversity so that all Guyanese could get to know and appreciate each other better.

When we change, the politicians will take their lead from us. Now is the time for most Guyanese to stop denying, ignoring or downplaying the reality of inter-ethnic rivalry, which is the most serious, persisting, confusing and difficult problem in our country. Until we address it frontally in a united way, it will not go away.

On February 9, 1964, 56 years ago, Cheddi Jagan stated, “The time has come when the two major parties which represent the masses of this country must find some basis of living and working together, and of finding some unity, if we are to go forward in progress and prosperity.” Cold War interference prevented that unity in 1964. Now, there is no international governmental interference that would prevent Guyanese going forward together in progress and prosperity.

As Martin Luther King Jr. and Cheddi Jagan advised “if we do not live together as friends, we will die apart as fools” because the Exxons and other foreign companies will take advantage of us and gobble up nearly all of the benefits from our natural resources, products and services.

Yours truly, Geoffrey Da Silva

Guyana needs to diversify its energy grid Dear Editor,

T

he development of Guyana’s energy sector is fundamental for the growth of our country’s manufacturing base and industrial capabilities.

In 2014, petroleum imports accounted for 21 percent of Guyana’s GDP. With the fall in oil prices, petroleum imports became cheaper, but the reliance on heavy fuel oil for power generation still remains. In order to reduce, and eventually eliminate, this dependency, Guyana needs to diversify its energy grid by investing in renewables and liquified natural gas (LNG). T The proposed 400 MW gas-to-power energy project, using associated natural gas from the oil wells, would be fundamental in lowering energy costs. Our Government understands the value of the project, and is looking to include it in the Payara contract negotiations. Any significant regulatory

delays, however, could hamper Guyana’s attractiveness and growth. Both energy and mining – in addition to agriculture, forestry and manufacturing – also need supporting infrastructure to fuel exponential growth.

Traditional infrastructure such as roads, ports and bridges are important to reduce logistical costs and bottlenecks, but even more fundamental is the development of health and educational structures. Good schools would provide training for our Guyanese citizens, and encourage the diaspora to come back. Without those proper systems in place, these growing sectors won’t have enough skilled personnel to properly run their operations.

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic administration’s tax-relief measures in the 2020 budget should help encourage the growth of other sectors, to help diversify the economy beyond natural resources.

The PPP/C Administration seeks to exempt

certain equipment from VAT, and remove corporate taxes on private education and healthcare. Despite a promising initiative, a comprehensive tax reform may be at hand to allow for a thorough deliberation between all Members of Parliament.

Measures could include a reduction of the corporate tax rate and incentives to reduce energy costs. Guyana would also benefit if its informal workers, which account for 48 percent of its labour force, were encouraged to transition into the formal economy. This would improve tax collection rates and widen the tax base, increasing the revenues entering our country’s coffers.

Diversification of the economy, development of infrastructure, and the improvement of the business environment will be pointless without proper accountability over the Government’s finances, which the PPP/C Administration will put in place.

The National Resource Fund (NRF), which is used to manage the oil revenues, must have well-established independent committees to ensure that it doesn’t become a slush fund. The administration has vouched to change the NRF Act to make it more transparent, it is unclear if and when they’ll follow through.

As seen in the multi-billion-dollar 1MDB scandal in Malaysia, countries with newfound wealth from oil are more likely to spend without restraint. Allowing for a few executives to control vast amounts of funds while simultaneously having no oversight is a recipe for disaster.

Our PPP/C Administration has begun to implement certain accountability measures to assure the Guyanese people that these funds will not be squandered.

Sincerely, David Adams

7

WEEKEND MIRROR 26-27 SEPTEMBER, 2020 NATIONAL GRADE SIX ASSESSMENT - 2020 CANDIDATES SECURING THE TOP TEN PLACES BY REGION REGION # 1 NAME

SCHOOL NAME

MARKS

School Awarded

1

Krizel Wells

Hosororo Primary

504

St Rose’s High

2

Jonathan De Souza

Mabaruma Primary

502

St Rose’s High

3

Siara Fernandes

Hosororo Primary

490

North West Sec

4

Kaitlyn King

Mabaruma Primary

489

North West Sec

5

Khemraj Seepersaud

St Bede’s Primary

488

Santa Rosa Sec

5

Samer Peters

Kwebana Primary

488

Santa Rosa Sec

7

Leeanie Hernandez

Hotoquai Primary

487

North West Sec

7

Stephanie Barrow

Hosororo Primary

487

North West Sec

9

Jed Buchanaan

482

North West Sec

10

Xue Smith

Mabaruma Primary

481

North West Sec

Queen’s College

“

REGION # 2 1

Sotana Singh

CV Nunes Primary

514

2

Chaveana Durga

Suddie Primary

513

3

Ted Fraser

CV Nunes Primary

509

3

Destiny Garraway

Hampton Court Primary

509

“

3

Shaunessy Simon

Suddie Primary

509

“

3

Tasheanna Persaud

Taymouth Manor Pri

509

“

7

Nezam Singh

CV Nunes Primary

508

“

7

Parvendra Tirbini

508

“

9

Lizzianna Singh

8 th of May Primary

507

10

Teiambe Moore

Hampton Court Primary

506

“

“ The Bishops’ High

St Stanislaus College “

3

REGION # 3 1

Dhanesh Tularam

Academy of Excellence 521

2

Yuki Clarke

“

520

“

2

Charisma Etwaroo

“

520

“

2

Salmah Bacchus

“

520

“

5

Fiaz Khan

“

519

“

5

Janai Shiwram

“

519

“

7

Shiv Piterahdaue

Leonora Primary

518

“

7

Marie Persaud

Academy of Excellence

518

“

7

Chaitnauth Sarendranauth

518

“

10

Jamal Prince

Leonora Primary

517

“

“

Queen’s College

REGION # 4 1

Lianna Dharampaul

Mon Repos Primary

523

Queen’s College

2

Geetanjali Persaud

Annandale Primary

518

“

2

Erania Daniels

Success Elementary

518

“

4

Divya Maikoo

Mon Repos Primary

516

“

5

Sunil Ragoonauth

Canadian Sch of Arts & Sci

515

“

5

Ayesha Rahman

Enmore Hope Primary

515

“

7

Renee Whittaker

Success Elementary

514

“

7

Zaheer Khan

Annandale Primary

514

“

7

Jonathan Dyal

Canadian Sch of Arts & Sci

514

“

7

Princess Hunter

Apex Academy

514

“

8

WEEKEND MIRROR 26-27 SEPTEMBER, 2020

REGION # 5

REGION # 9

1

Mariam Baksh

Sapodilla Sch of Excel. 513

Queen’s College

1

Tristan D’Aguiar

2

Amisha Ramjit

Latchmansingh Primary

510

The Bishops’ High

2

Anika De Freitas

3

Adrian Saul

Treasures Pri. Academy

509

“

3

3

Dheeraj Ghansham

Novar Primary

509

“

5

Rohit Mohabir

Treasures Pri. Academy

507

6

Okel Cooper

Mahaicony Primary

505

“

6

Zaki Ishmael

Number 29 Primary

505

“

8

Rehanna Boston

Sapodilla Sch of Excel.

504

St Rose’s High

8

Chandini Sharma

Rosignol Primary

504

“

8

Supriya Prechand

Sapodilla Sch of Excel.

504

“

St Stanislaus College

Arapaima Primary

509

The Bishops’ High

“

507

St Stanislaus College

Akayla Thomas

“

506

“

3

Isabelle Moonsammy

“

506

“

5

Shabena Sheik

St Ignatius Primary

502

St Rose’s High

6

Seema Dewar

Toka Primary

500

St Joseph High

7

Isaac Atkinson

Aishalton Primary

491

Aishalton Sec

8

Michael Sue

Arapaima Primary

487

St Ignatius Sec

9

Kira Alfred

481

“

10

Dilshan Thomas

“ Karasabai Primary

480

Annai Sec

Queen’s College

REGION # 6 1

Renace Jospeh

Friends Primary

517

2

Safiya Tribhowan

Tain Primary

514

“

1

Britney Peters

One Mile Primary

521

3

Kairon Roopnarine

Cumberland Primary

513

“

2

Shanel Storm

Amelia’s Ward Primary

519

“

4

Suhana Bacchus

Corriverton Primary

512

“

2

Ariel Mohanlall

Royal Halls of Learning

519

“

4

Dillan Pawaroo

512

“

4

Kesyne Bagot

One Mile Primary

517

“

6

Usha Indarsingh

Gangaram Primary

511

5

Jasmine Griffith

Watooka Day Primary

516

“

6

Gabriella Sukhu

Corriverton Primary

511

“

6

Yohance October

Regma Primary

515

“

6

Varshanie Mulla

All Saints Primary

511

“

6

Syesha Fraser

One Mile Primary

515

“

9

Abdur Ally

Berbice Islamic Sch

509

“

6

Kenroy Jameer

515

“

9

David Subnauth

New Market Primary

509

“

9

Rheann Retemyer

Watooka Day Primary

513

“

9

Shania Lawson

Regma Primary

513

“

“

Queen’s College

REGION # 10

The Bishops’ High

“

REGION # 7 1

Kyle Harper

St John The Baptist Pri 502

St Rose’s High

2

Elisha Jacobs

72 Miles Primary

500

St Jospeh High

3

Michael Joseph

St John The Baptist Pri

487

Three Miles Sec

4

Obama Atherly

“

485

“

5

Lakshmi Persaud

“

483

“

6

Fazeeha Gibson

“

481

“

7

John Diaz

“

478

“

8

Roxette De Souza

Jawalla Primary

476

DC Ceasar Fox Sec

9

Maleah Adams

Pataro Primary

474

Three Miles Sec

10

Vianna Wilson

Waramadong Primary

473

DC Ceasar Fox Sec

10

Travin Benjamin

High Achievers Academy 473

Three Miles Sec

Paramakatoi Primary

Paramakatoi Sec

REGION # 8 1

Deliza Martin

480

2

Keyon Alleyne

“

474

“

3

Emanuel Maccould

“

470

“

4

Corwin Barjoan

“

465

“

5

Kelly George

“

461

“

6

Alena Gudge

“

450

“

6

Randy Martin

“

450

“

8

Errol Lally

Monkey Mountain Primary 448

“

8

Gilbert Waithe

Paramakatoi Primary

448

“

10

Kimberly Antone

Maikwak Primary

447

Kato Secondary

5

7

9

WEEKEND MIRROR 26-27 SEPTEMBER, 2020

COMMENTARY

APNU+AFC continues to betray Amerindians, again and again

By Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

P

resent Amerindian leaders sitting as Members of Parliament (MPs) and in other influential position but who support APNU+AFC have an obligation to the Amerindian people. They must reject the latest insult from APNU+AFC. They must demand an unconditional apology from the leaders of APNU+AFC for voting against the Amerindian Capital Budget of $845M. Not for the first time, and I suspect not for the last time, APNU+AFC (the PNC in disguise) betrayed the Amerindians. On Monday, September 22, even as Guyana continues observing and celebrating Amerindian Heritage Month, 29 APNU+AFC MPs mindlessly voted against $845M capital budget for the Amerindian people. Two MPs from that party, Khemraj Ramjattan and David Patterson knew that voting against the budget for the Amerindian people was spiteful, but they did not have the guts to go against that party. Instead, Ramjattan and Patterson shamelessly, spinelessly abstained from voting. It was another display of recklessness, another display of sheer hypocrisy, another display of vindictiveness. The Amerindian people, in response to five years of utter neglect, solidly voted against APNU+AFC, and solidly voted for the PPP. Demonstrating how spiteful they could be, but also demonstrating how stupid they can be, APNU+AFC voted against the Amerindian budget.

They voted against a $68M Amerindian youth empowerment program, $285M grants to Amerindian communities, $42M economic projects, $7M Women's Group project, a $6M sewing machine project, a $121M tractor and agricultural equipment project, a $26M ICT/ Internet hub project, a $4.4M chain saw project, a $5M village infrastructure project, a $6M generator, a $13M eco-tourism project, a $7M musical instrument project, a $6M project for radio sets, a $15M solar panel project, a $25M farm road project, a $9M irrigation and rain water harvesting project, a $18M sports project, a $45M

bridge/stelling project, $12M for a village office, $60M for minibuses, pick-ups and ATVs, $10M for boats and engines, a conference center for $10M. Dawn Hastings, an Amerindian and a senior PNC MP who served as a senior minister in the just outgoing administration led the assault against her people.

It was sad, disappointing, but it was also a travesty and an unforgiveable attack against a gentle people. This was injustice at its abyss.

How could any political party which wants to be the government of the people again vote against the interest of the very people they will one day need to vote for that party? But this is not the first time, APNU+AFC has betrayed the Amerindian people. One of their first acts in government in 2015 was to terminate the contract for 2,000 young Amerindian CSOs, robbing the Amerindian community of more than $100M of revenues flowing directly into their village economies. APNU+AFC virtually terminated the Amerindian Land Titling program in 2015 and diverted more than $US10M ($G2B) away from the titling project.

It was not the first time, either, that APNU+AFC voted in Parliament against Amerindian budgets. In 2012, APNU+AFC voted against the LCDS provisions for Amerindians, voting against the Amerindian Development Funds, electricity in homes, land titling, laptops for families, agricultural equipment and upgrading of airstrips in Amerindian communities. In 2012, they actually succeeded in blocking the budget for Amerindians because they had a one-seat majority.

They also did the same thing in 2014. This time, in 2020, they could not block the budget because their 29 votes in parliament was not enough to stop the government with 33 votes, plus one vote from the LJP's Lennox Shuman.

Were these things the only things for which APNU+AFC must apologize to Amerindians for, these would already be too much.

But this is just a short list of the many times APNU+AFC/ PNC have insulted and been vindictive to Amerindians.

It seems that APNU+AFC always use Amerindian Her-

itage Month to hurl more insults on Amerindians. Last year, during the 2019 Amerindian Heritage Month

opening ceremony Sydney Alicock accused Amerindians of being unreasonable for demanding land titling.

He admonished his sisters and brothers for demanding land titling when they were not able to use what they

already had. It was disgraceful then and it is disgraceful now. But Amerindians have (Turn to page 10)

10

WEEKEND MIRROR 26-27 SEPTEMBER, 2020

Hinterland Coalition fails in bid to cut $825.2M in Amerindian communities to access small business fund projects from Budget ─Vote in National Assembly split 32 to 25 votes

A

futile attempt by the APNU+AFC Members of Parliament (MP) to cut Budget 2020 was swiftly thwarted by Government MPs who vigorously defended the allocations set aside to enhance the lives of the nation’s First Peoples.

The move came during the Consideration of Estimates in the National Assembly on Tuesday (September 23, 2020).

“As we are still celebrating Amerindian Heritage Month, it is indeed a travesty that the APNU-AFC Members of Parliament can vote against $825.5 million intended to bring relief to the Amerindian residents and villagers - a relief that is actually needed because over five years the APNU-AFC government has stifled the growth and development of Amerindians,” said Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai.

The sums were allotted to the Ministry’s Policy and Development, Administration, and the Community Development and Empowerment programmes.

Government MPs stood their ground with 32 votes after Opposition MP Ganesh Mahipaul said called for a division of the votes and indicated to Chairman of the Committee of Supply, Manzoor Nadir that there should be a roll call.

On the Opposition side, 25 MPs voted to cut the Amerindian Affairs budget, while two abstained.

Minister Sukhai chastised the Opposition for their failed attempt to set back the advancement of Amerindians under Budget 2020. “[The Opposition] has gone full force to stifle, to deny and to destroy development for Amerindians under a PPP/C Government. They are vindictive because they feel that they did not get the majority of votes,” she asserted.

According to the Minister, the move by the Opposition was akin to the Budget cuts in 2011 and 2013 against the hinterland and airstrip projects and the Amerindian Development Fund, respectively.

Government Parliamentarian Yvonne Fredericks

expressed similar sentiments, saying that the Government would pursue its mandate to enhance the living standards of Amerindians. “We have always looked after the wellbeing and the welfare of the Amerindian people and we will continue to do that,” MP Fredricks said.

Parliamentary Secretary at the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, Sarah Browne, said the Opposition’s vote was disappointing. She also recalled being among the protesters in 2013 who called out the then APNU-AFC Opposition for slashing the $300M budget of the Amerindian Development Fund.

Meanwhile, CuyuniMazaruni (Region Seven) Government MP, Hon. Lee Williams said the administration intends to “fight to the end so that we can benefit from these projects for Amerindian development.”

MPs Dr. Tandeka Smith and Hon. Allister Charlie also condemned the Opposition’s actions. “Every sober-minded Guyanese [must] understand that we have an Opposition in Parliament that is callous, that is very vindictive,” MP Charlie said.

T

he Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce has allocated $172 million for the Small Business Bureau (SBB) to provide grants and loans for the development of small businesses.

A large percentage of this sum will be used to nurture the development of small businesses through training, coaching and mentoring owners and potential business owners.

Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Hon. Oneidge Walrond made this disclosure when she, today, defended budgetary allocations for her Ministry.

A special sum has also been set aside for the development of hinterland business, the Minister said, noting that the Ministry “will always support Indigenous communities.”

Additionally, a small business fund valued

$100M has been set aside for communities in Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine.

These are for areas including Matthews Ridge, Port Kaituma, Arakaka, Moruca, Bartica, Mahdia, Kato, Paramakatoi, Nappi and Parishara.

Some 40 per cent of this sum will be utilised in those areas while another 30 per cent from the SBB allocation will be used in hinterland communities.

2,000+ land transports and titles to be distributed in next 4 months – Croal T he Ministry of Housing and Water’s Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) will be distributing over 2,000 land transports and tittles within the next four months.

Subject Minister, Collin Croal said the processing of these documents had slowed tremendously under the previous administration, reducing the rate of Security of Tenure and land title distribution. “In 2014, under the PPP/C, 4079 transports were processed. At best the Coalition did 2556; and at worse 1,207 during the peri-

od 2015-2019,” the Minister said.

The Security of Tenure gives the applicant the right to occupy the land, and a delay could result in significant losses and other implications for applicants and restrict developments in the housing sector.

Further, a new Board was installed at CH&PA to reduce the backlog. Also, a new Chief Executive Office, in the person of Sherwyn Greaves, was appointed.

Minister Croal also recommitted to the alloca-

tion of 10,000 house lots per year, over the next five years, in line with the PPP/C Manifesto promise.

Citizens can also look forward to seeing bolstered measures to improve water service, transportation networks, and to ensure affordability through access to sustainable financing options and mortgage relief.

Budget 2020 spotlights the importance of these and other initiatives, with plans to inject over $3 billion into the housing sector and $2.8 billion for Guyana Water Incorporated.

APNU+AFC continues to betray Amerindians...

(From page 9)

not forgotten that in October 2017, the same Alicock admonished them during the opening of the National Toshaos's Conference for not supporting David Granger's Land Commission which essentially terminated the Amerindian Land Titling exercise and sought to recognize the Ancestral Land Movement being promoted

by ACDA and others.

Alicock, George Norton, Dawn Hasting, Garrido-Lowe and others since 2015 supported the establishment of NDCs in Amerindian communities, encroaching onto Amerindian

Land Rights, ignoring the FPIC (Free, Prior Informed Consent) protocol established in the Amerindian Act 2006.

When Keith Scott angrily denounced Amerindians as "greedy", these same Amerindian leaders supported Scott and Granger and his charlatans never uttered a word of condemnation.

The list is long, APNU+AFC/PNC has a livelong propensity towards betraying the Amerindian people. Yet they are barefaced enough that they will soon enter these same Amerindian communities and beg them for their votes. Next year

will be Local Government Election. APNU+AFC, with Alicock, Vincent Henry, Garrido-Lowe, George Norton, Dawn Hastings, Williams and others will beg Amerindians to vote for them. They will do so again in the 2025 elections. Not a word will be said in apologies. The present Amerindian leaders in APNU+AFC have an obligation to reject this latest insult of the Amerindian people. But that will not happen.

The Amerindian people will listen quietly, their dignity and integrity fully intact, as they reject APNU+AFC outright.

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Budget 2020 underscores PPP/C B

udget 2020 was tabled in the National Assembly earlier this month and after weeks of debates

and scrutiny, the country and the Guyanese people are moving forward.

This week the Mirror

MICHAEL YOUNGE (FREELANCE WRITER) said: “This year’s budget is a breath of fresh air and what the business sector and ordinary people need to survive in the COVID-19 era. The Budget comprises measures such as: $15,000 cash grant for school children and $25,000 COVID-19 aid; the reduction of VAT on medical supplies; and the removal of taxes to help the ordinary man cope with these challenging times.

“The new People Progressive Party Civic-led Administration should be commended for not only delivering on their multiple manifesto promises, but creating a path way for the economy to take off as it should have in 2015. The oil sector is clearly thought about and provided for in this budget which is so easy to understand.”

ANJANIE NARINE (NDC CHAIR) said: “Budget 2020 is, without a doubt, a budget for the people – the peoples budget. When one looks closely at budget 2020 we see how little things means big things, we see how right-minded thinking leaders use their skills, knowledge and experiences to make lives better for citizens of their Country.

“As promised in the PPP/C manifesto, the Dr. Irfaan Ali-led Government has so far delivered to the people. Within a mere three weeks, Budget 2020 was completed and responds to needs arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the needs of every Region and productive sector in Guyana. It is because of this that Guyanese across the country from every walks of life, every race, religion are excited and welcoming of Budget 2020.

“From 2015 to 2020, under the APNU+AFC Coalition government, Guyanese saw no growth, no empowerment program and no improved standard of living. We saw a breakdown where people were left to hungry and beg, young people were not given any opportunities, women were left to cry and wonder where the next meal for their family will come from and men were stripped of their pride and dignity simply because they could not provide for their family. This happened because of a visionless administration. Within just over a month, the PPP/C has done more that the Coalition did in five years.

“As a young woman, I see equal opportunities in Budget 2020 for every Guyanese. The private is expected to see a massive growth and opportunities will be provided for youths, women, the elders and children.”

Newspaper sought reactions on the national budget and the consensus was that while much of

the monies have already been spent between January and August 2020, the monies approved for

GERAN COLLYMORE (POLICY CONSULTANT) said: “Many Guyanese are likely relieved by government’s pledge that Budget 2020 will reflect much-needed visionary leadership for the entire country.

“Throughout the debate, however, concerns have been raised regarding budgetary decisions that appear partial to the private sector. While many of the concerns pertain to equity, it is undeniable that many in Guyana’s highly entrepreneurial society have achieved socio-economic mobility through the private sector, and that the country’s economy has benefited.

“Regarding equity and ensuring that all Guyanese enjoy the prospect of prosperity, it is encouraging to note the budget heavily prioritizes spending in the health and education sectors.

If implemented correctly, this investment in Guyana’s invaluable human resources will not only support imperative progress towards socio-economic equity, but it will be a key driver as the country moves towards realizing its vast potential. From a policy perspective, an approach that effectively balances social investment and a favourable environment for private sector growth can produce sustained results of efficiency, growth, and equity for a country. This is a welcome vision of a prosperous future for all Guyanese.”

DEORAJ NAUTH (EDUCATOR & ENTREPRENEUR) said: “Budget 2020 can be aptly dubbed ‘The Grass Root Budget’. All societal and economic advancement is being built on the foundation of Education. And, this budget catered for the reintroduction of the uniform allowance that has increased by 100% and the reintroduction of the cash voucher to parents to cushion their children’s economic needs for schools across the length and breadth Guyana.

“The current Government of Guyana is extremely visionary due to the fact in the budget it will expand and upgrade six (6) channels to run concurrently for the benefits of the Nation’s children amid the COVID-19 pandemic, not forgetting the allocation of funds for a radio station dedicated to delivering education for our brothers and sisters who are not readily accessible to electronic means of teaching and learning in the remote areas. It is the first time in the history of Guyana the nursery students will be given individual home-based packages containing print materials, manipulatives and other appropriate resources, while in the primary and secondary levels the students will receive workbooks and core text books which they will use during this time and beyond.”

September to December is being directed to critical areas that translate to improvement in the lives

of Guyanese – thereby underscoring the PPP/C commitment to the Guyanese people.

ISAAC BUNBURY (MANAGING DIRECTOR) said: “As a small business owner, who made the bold decision to start my business in the middle of a pandemic, I have to say I am impressed with the Budget 2020.

“I am particularly pleased with the $100 million that is being allocated to the Small Business Development Fund. While I am aware of the fact that this amount was the same in the last budget, I am impressed by the additional $212 million allocated to the Small Business Bureau to better help them assist small businesses. I was also impressed by the proposal to increase grants beyond the current $200,000 limit. I think these efforts will be instrumental in helping more small businesses evolve from ideas into a reality.

“Also, the proposed tax concessions on manufacturing equipment and machinery as well as construction materials is something I can appreciate as someone in the manufacturing business. The removal of VAT on electricity and water is something that will undoubtedly benefit my business as well as many other small businesses. I am impressed by the efforts to help entrepreneurs overcome the inevitable growing pains that are associated with starting and running a small business.”

SALEESHA GAFOOR said: “I am extremely happy with the PPP/C government's move to effectively put together a budget within such a short time. This highlights the seriousness in which the PPP/C administration takes this nation of ours and its people. Budget 2020 in my view, can be best described as an all-inclusive plan to help push economic growth in our country and put money back in the pockets of Guyanese. This is especially important during this difficult time of a global pandemic.

“Also laudable is that the Dr. Irfaan Ali administration is already fulfilling many of its promises made during the 2020 elections, with the removal of Value Added Tax (VAT) from electricity and water, among others. Tax relief measures for the private sector will also help companies to get back on their feet, which will lead to greater employment and improved business opportunities.

“Also, the government has already shown serious interest in tackling COVID-19 frontally, by setting aside huge sums to increase testing, improve health care facilities, and assist and protect our hardworking frontline workers. I am confident in the government's economic plan to help turn things turnaround for Guyana, and repair the damage made by the previous APNU+AFC administration.”

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WEEKEND MIRROR 26-27 SEPTEMBER, 2020

commitment to Guyanese ODAYSON ASHBY (PROSPECTOR) said: “The emergency 2020 Budget has assured many Guyanese that the new government remains committed to delivering their promises of a better life for all Guyanese.

“At a time when the country is facing economic troubles due to the massive financial mismanagement by the previous APNU+AFC government and the pandemic, this budget gives government the support that’s needed to reopen the economy and rejuvenate the various sectors through direct injection of monies to ministry and project allocation that benefits not only the public and private sector but all citizens directly.

“Due to the Budget 2020 we will witness the reopening of the sugar estate which would immediately create over 1,000 jobs, development of massive road networks for both the unban and rural areas, access to free online education and learning projects, cash grants to aid to assisting all household, reductions vat and a increase in pensions for our seniors citizens.

There is no doubt that 2020 emergency budget by the PPP/C administration have met the people expectation.”

VISHAUL AMBEDKAR (TEACHER) said: “Budget 2020 or as I would want to call it the “people’s budget”, aims to deliver a better life to the ordinary man who have been having a hard time to make ends meet.

“With the removal of VAT on electricity and water, the increase of old age pension, free water for pensioners, the reintroduction of the because we care cash grant with $15,000 per a child plus the increase of school uniform voucher. There is some thing for everyone in Budget 2020. These are all significant and necessary initiatives by government to reduce the hardship of our people.

“Additionally focus has been placed on improving health care as seen in the budget, Leonora, West Demerara, Suddie and Diamond Hospital to be upgraded and Farm to market access roads will be developed for farmers.

“During these COVID-19 period and the lock down period, our daily wage workers have been most affected by the economic downturn, and the initiative of government to assist families with $25,000 per household is most welcomed.

“No doubt this budget is a people centered budget and has something for everyone no matter how big or how small you are or what color you are budget 2020 does no discriminate.”

DEVINA PERSAUD (SUPERVISOR) said: “Budget 2020 budget was long over due. It responds to teh needs of the poor and working class, as well as the private sector. It's a budget to look forward, since it puts money back in the pockets of many Guyanese.

“Importantly, it responds to the needs of vulnerable groups. It brings relief for pensioners, single parents, young adults and people who lost their jobs. I must commend the government for putting together a budget on a short period of time. We have seen the government manifesto in action.”

DWIGHT FIDEL JOHN (REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT OFFICER) said: “Guyana’s 2020 National Budget in my mind was well crafted. It is Guyana’s largest budget to date. The Peoples' Progressive Party Civic 2020 budget is geared towards stimulating economic growth, job creation and enhancing the welfare of the Guyanese people as a whole.

“I am of the view that the intellectual authors of this financial masterpiece, our President, Dr. Ifraan Ali and PP General Secretary and Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo sought to give relief to the Guyanese people, who for the last five years were stifled and oppressed financially by the previous regime.

“The people of Guyana can breathe a sigh of relief that the children and senior citizens will have an increase in the grant and old age pension. Our Amerindian brothers and sisters will see the resumption of land titling and the removal of vat on hinterland travel. It is pleasing to note the newly installed government has already proposed in the health sector that private health care would be exempted from corporation tax, this is expected to attract more investment and also make it more affordable for Guyanese. It is gratifying that this 2020 budget has proposed the removal of vat on several items such as utilities, building materials, medical supplies to name a few. The agricultural, forestry and mining sectors can also see great relief from this budget.

“In my humble opinion, the PPPC government’s emergency budget of 2020 has catered for every sector of the Guyanese population and has fulfilled many of its elections manifesto promises.”

MARCEL PERSAUD (ACTIVIST) said: “Budget 2020 is a true reflection of a pro-people, pro-working class budget, since it addresses addressing the needs of the poor, elderly and vulnerable. It also addresses the need of the private sector and encourages a pro-investment environment, which is much needed to return our economy to vibrancy. Budget 2020 shows that the PPPC Government did their ground work on and was able to respond to the need of Guyanese.”

ADITYA PERSAUD said: “Budget 2020, even though it’s an emergency Budget, it surely did bring lots of smiles to the faces of Guyanese of all walks of life. We have seen that while our economy grew in the oil sector, many other sectors tumbled and was in shortfall. The sectors that tumbled in the last administration are those that generated jobs for Guyanese. In this budget, we are already seeing the amount of monies that will be plugged into those sectors to bring back livelihood to our people.

“Some persons have been criticizing the 2020 ‘emergency’ budget during the ongoing debates in the National Assembly, however, if you were to question them as to what measures they would put in place to remove poverty and burden from the citizens, they will fumble, just like they did while being asked about the whereabouts of their SoP’s. This is indeed a budget for the people.

“In this emergency budget we are seeing things such as fully-funded Government of Guyana scholarships will be made available to students across Guyana as well as $100M for the Small Business Development Fund which will be used to provide loans and grants to prospective small business owners and a further $212.1M has been allocated to the Small Business Bureau which will aid in Job Creation for the poorer class – my question is, aren’t we seeing how the people are benefitting?

“The Parliamentary Opposition, APNU+AFC, talk about this budget going backwards…I would say, yes!, a lot of it is backwards, but I would prefer to use reverse instead of backwards. The budget reversed the implementation of VAT on Water & Electricity, it reversed the land fee increases back to the rate it was in at the end of 2014, it reversed VAT from fertilizers, agro-chemicals, pesticides, and key inputs in the poultry industry, it reversed VAT on Hinterland Travel and medical supplies and it reversed VAT on building and construction material. So yes, it’s the kind of backward that bring benefits to the people by reversing the burdens that the previous administration put on our people.”

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US Secretary of State visit gives Guyana visibility ‒ President Ali

U

nited States (US) Secretary of State Mr. Michael Pompeo’s visit to Guyana has reinforced to the world that the two nations will continue to strengthen cooperation, according to President Dr. Irfaan Ali. During an interview with the Miami Caribbean Times Newscast on Tuesday, the President said while visibility is sometimes underestimated, the exposure will give Guyana an advantage in reaching investors who may not other-

wise have been considering investing here. “Visibility allows us to associate Guyana at the international level and it brings that interest,” President Ali said.

The President also refuted claims that Pompeo’s visit to Guyana may have had a hidden agenda involving Venezuela. “I think the visit may have disappointed them in this regard because of the Venezuela issue we had already spoken about. We support democracy, we sup-

port freedom and we support democratic transition[s]. We associated [ourselves] with the Lima statement and OAS statement and we have nothing else to add,” President Ali said.

The Lima Group, a multilateral body established in 2017, represents 12 countries seeking to establish a peaceful exit to the ongoing crisis in Venezuela.

The Organization of American States (OAS), meanwhile, is the premier

regional forum for political discussion, policy analysis and decision-making in the Western Hemisphere affairs. The OAS has condemned what it describes as “the grave and systematic violations of human rights in Venezuela.”

The Head of State also noted the other important outcomes of the visit, which included the signing of the Shiprider Agreement and the MoU for the Growth in the Americas Initiative as well

as the commitment to US$4.5 million of new USAID assistance for youth and citizen engagement programmes.

The President said the visit also sent a strong signal about Guyana’s commitment to democracy. “Our commitment to having strong bilat-

eral partners and of course, to note that the US is one of the important strategic partners of Guyana. It also sends a strong signal that we are ready to cooperate and collaborate on issues of national, regional and international interests,” the President said.

Ali disappointed with CJIA expansion work T he People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government will only accept the works outlined in the original contract for the expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), according to President Dr. Irfaan Ali. The Head of State made this assertion during a meeting with the Chinese Ambassador, Cui Jianchun and representatives of China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), the Project Consultant and the Project Manager, which was held at the CJIA this week.

"I am holding everyone responsible; the contractor, the consultant, the project management team...this is not acceptable for the Guyanese people. In this current position it is very clear from all that I have seen and heard, and from all the questions asked, it is very clear that something is horribly wrong.

The right decision at this moment is that we cannot accept this, “President Ali stated.

His comments followed an update from the Project Manager of the CJIA Expansion Project, Ms. Carissa Gooding. During the presentation, Gooding along with the project consultant failed to answer key inquiries as posed by the Head of State, which included the outline of the original contract, and the details of the revised scope of works and costs attached.

In addition, President Ali sought clarification on what grounds the decision was taken to omit aspects of the project. Gooding confirmed that aspects of the airport expansion were downplayed and omitted while monies diverted to other aspects of the project. “We need answers as we have decisions to make,” President Ali stated.

The representative of CHEC also informed the Head of State that after the contract was signed; there were other works which needed to be done following an assessment.

“No, no this is a fixedprice contract, and that is not how it works. A fixed-price contract means that you examine all the works which have to be done before you sign on to the contract. So please, let’s get that clear,” President Ali said.

The Head of State enquired as to who made the decision to pay the contractor for delays, and was informed that this decision was made under the former Government. He said, “This tells a damning story… there are more questions than answers from this presentation.”

The original contract would have seen the completion of 17,000 square feet of work, but currently there is only an existing 6,000 square feet – a difference of 11,000 square feet. In addition, key aspects of the project were either omitted or poorly completed. “Our intention is to get what was signed for. What was in the contract, that is what is our intention. The airport that was in the contract, that is the airport that has to be delivered to the Government and the People of Guyana,” President Ali stated.

Dr. Ali requested a complete outline of the original contract signed in 2014 and not the one which was amended under the former APNU+AFC administration.

He emphasised that the work completed to date was unacceptable, and people would be held accountable. “This cannot be acceptable for the Guyanese people, and I am (Turn to page 22)

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All Guyanese are part of the process to progress forward We must now advance the A task of nation building

Dear Editor,

Dear Editor,

A

s we move on along the road of development, we must focus our attention on the various projects inherited from the previous administration, and examine their various aspects with a mindset towards progress.

Some of these projects – and the list is long – where there were glaring defects, have to be either dismantled or otherwise rectified to meet modern standards. On that note, I would like to focus on one such project: the Durban Park, or what the APNU/AFC Coalition called the “Jubilee Park”. I have a few suggestions for this “pet project” of theirs.

In the first place, it is an eyesore and a project that was set up with hideous and dubious motives. We are all well aware of the reasons for the great importance placed on Durban Park, whereas the National Park was grossly neglected. The voodoo reasons of the APNU/AFC for Durban Park were blatantly obvious, and, in my book, should not be tolerated. In any event, we cannot countenance this eyesore, and urgent plans have to be made to address it.

Firstly, this edifice should be dismantled, and the materials sold at a reduced cost to poor homeowners and squatters to build their homes in the designated regularised areas. The wood and galvanised sheets are ideal building materials for poor homeowners, who would make good use of

these building material.

In its place, I would suggest the building of a modern, state-of-the-art municipal market.

Now, a municipal market would do three things: (a) Provide a new area for shopping, something that is woefully lacking in the city. The shopper coming into the city would have a choice in his shopping, or varied choices in his shopping. (b) Solve the problem of traffic congestion that presently exists at the two major markets, Stabroek and Bourda.

It is certainly an appalling and outrightly dangerous situation at the two aforementioned markets with people and traffic intermingling at dangerously close proximity to each other. This kind of situation is ideal for thieves, pick-pockets, and bandits of all kinds to have a field day; and (c) Bring an end to roadside vending, something for which we have been clamouring for years.

Dr Irfaan Alli, who is a graduate in urban planning, would appreciate the fact that Georgetown is a bad example when it comes to congestion, making the city an urban jungle and a place where roadside vending is a headache. We must rise to the occasion where modern standards have to be observed in the city. The time to do so is now!

Respectfully, Neil Adams

ll societies are faced with this issue of conflict. How we recognize and deal with these conflicts will be an important determinant of our success rate in identifying and remedying the root causes of the conflicts.

Conflict situations are highly volatile.

What works today may not work tomorrow. Perhaps the greatest causes of public conflict in today’s World are: feelings of alienation, displeasure with the manner in which scarce resources are allocated among the people, lack of accountability on the part of the Government for public funds and poor governance.

The PPP/C did undoubtedly recognize these causation factors and this must be an obvious reason why the Government, since October 1992 to May 2015 did continually focus on bringing the type of changes that would guarantee effective participation by citizens in legislative work, to facilitate and in order to influence the economic and social situation in our Country. Undoubtedly also, the PPP/C recognized early enough that they could be no democracy in places where poverty, injustice, corruption, exclusion of a significant per cent of the Nation’s population are evident.

Consequentially, the participation of young people, women, Indigenous people and indeed, suitably qualified people of all ethnicities, as one of the important measures/remedies that will strengthen the Parliament; make it more representative of

our cultures, and therefore, more effective in helping to convert democracy from an ideal to an economic, social and political reality.

The Party and Government have obviously determined to use remedies of accommodation, collaboration and compromise to help address the major conflicts of our Society. Already there is an air of optimism that is being felt and about which a significant number of the Guyanese people are happy.

Conflicts will always be with us. But to the extent that we are able to develop political Institutions and Instruments that facilitate the removal of social fragmentation, highlight and build on economic inadequacies, provide for checks and balances on public spending, improve the business environment, create opportunities for public consultation moreso involving Minorities … to that extent we would have helped to develop some mechanisms to remedy some of the root causes of conflict in our Society.

The Government’s 2020 Elections Manifesto and its Budget 2020 certainly make the type of provisions that aim to take Guyana and its people in that direction where peace, progress and prosperity replace conflicts in our Society.

The invitation is yet there for all Guyanese to come on board and be a part of the process and, I confidently say, a part of the progress. May we practice the spirit of collaboration and togetherness.

Yours truly, Norman Whittaker

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President Ali lobbies for developing countries in UN address A

robust case for developing countries was made by President Dr. Irfaan Ali, during his debut address to the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday (September 23, 2020).

In his virtually-delivered speech, President Ali posited that, “developing countries continue to face constraints associated by limited access to development financing. Improved access to such financing is vital for the realisation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.”

The composition of the UN Security Council was one of the first areas of change the President championed in order to amplify the voice of developing countries. “The Security Council in particular, should be reformed to increase the number of developing countries that are permanent members.”

According to President Ali, reforms at the UN level are necessary to enable developing states to access financing to meet development targets.

While calling for member states to press toward their obligations on international agreements, Dr. Ali urged that there be a reversal of any setbacks in achieving those commitments.

Additionally, in applauding the ongoing work of UN development system, Dr. Ali noted, “we believe, however, that there should be greater focus and reforms that are tailored to allow the UN to respond adequately to existing and emerging gaps in development and to find solutions to existing threats.”

To this end, Dr. Ali praised Guyana’s pledge to fostering multilateralism which has allowed the nation to be the Chair of The Group of 77 and China. “Our statement to the world is that a state’s capacity for leadership is not constrained by size,” the President held.

Nevertheless, His Excellency lobbied for an assessment of the UN’s development agenda and a recommitment of countries to its aims. On this note, the President stated his dissatisfaction with the lack of, “a robust outcome document” at the UN’s Economic and Social Council and High Political Forum on sustainable development this year. “My government believes that both the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council should play a more proactive role in catalysing partnership and should serve as platforms for ensuring coherence in the joint economic, environmental and socio-political initiatives being undertaken,” Dr. Ali underscored.

Concerning Guyana’s ongoing case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the border controversy with Venezuela, Dr. Ali furthered the call for the protection of international bodies that support all nations.

Furthermore, on the COVID-19 front, the President advanced that there be greater collaboration and support as the pandemic impacts the work. While thanking UN bodies for supporting Guyana in the fight against COVID-19, the President iterated, “we look forward to increase international cooperation to contain, mitigate and defeat the pandemic.”

On the topical issue of climate change Dr. Ali touted Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy as the policy through which the country’s development would take place.

Dr. Ali also extended his appreciation toward the UN for its role in the protection of democracy in Guyana. “I take this opportunity to commend the international community, including the United Nations, for defending the democratic rights of our citizens.”

SEE FULL STATEMENT BELOW: (Inaugural National Address of His Excellency Mohamed Irfaan Ali President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana to the 75th session of the United Nations General) Mr. President, the Republic of Guyana congratulates you on your election as President of the 75th Session of the General Assembly of United Nations. I wish you a successful tenure as you guide the work of the Assembly over the next year. I assure you of the support of Guyana as you contribute to fashioning the United Nations that we need in order to realize the future we want.

I join in thanking His Excellency Tijjani Muhammad-Bande of Nigeria for his sterling leadership of the 74th Session, especially through the unprecedented circumstances occasioned by the COVID-19 crisis.

It would be remiss of me if I did not commend Secretary General Guterres and his team for their resolve and ingenuity in organising this Assembly in a virtual format for the first time. It is a reminder that every tool at our disposal must be employed to serve the best interests of humanity.

Mr. President, my government assumed office on the 2nd of August this year. I take this opportunity to commend the international community, including the United Nations for defending the democratic rights of our citizens.

My government is committed to greater political inclusion and to enacting institutional reforms to ensure that democracy, the rule of law and constitutional rights are respected. My Government recognizes the dignity and worth of the human person and is determined to secure for the country’s citizens a higher standard of living.

THE FUTURE WE WANT I join in congratulating the United Nations on its 75th anniversary. I hope that we can soon meet in more normal circumstances to formally celebrate this momentous milestone.

The United Nations was birthed 75 years ago amidst the scars of war and the promise of reconstruction. The international community conceived the United Nations and entrusted its hope in this body to usher in an era of peace and prosperity.

The Charter of the United Nations commits to ending the scourge of war, fostering respect for human rights, promoting the dignity of the human person, securing equality for men women and nations, defending the principles of international law and advancing human freedoms and social progress.

Every nation, no matter how large or small, has but a single vote within this Assembly. The General Assembly remains an invaluable forum where small states can make their voices heard and unite for their mutual benefit.

Developing states in particular owe a great debt to this Organization. Its agencies and affiliated networks – including the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) – have been instrumental in alleviating poverty, hunger and famine; saving and caring for lives; ensuring respect for human rights; promoting greater equality for women; safeguarding children; promoting the environment and providing technical assistance to developing states.

Mr. President, I ask you all to cast your minds back to the 2015, and the three pivotal UN conferences that took place during that year. In June, the Third International Conference on Financing for Development, held in Addis Ababa, addressed the main challenge facing developing nations – accessing development financing. In September, the Assembly hosted the Sustainable Development Summit and adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals which UN members agreed to realize by the year 2030. Most importantly, the Climate Change Summit in Paris culminated in the historic Paris Agreement. The Paris Agreement on climate change represents the single greatest commitment made by countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These three events exemplified the true character of this organization - the nations of the world uniting to boldly tackle these threats and to promote sustainable development.

The United Nations, armed with the lofty but ambitious vision of global security and prosperity, remains as relevant and necessary today as it was in 1945. The world has changed remarkably in the ensuing 75 years but the United Nations has also adapted to and been an agent of change.

THE UNITED NATIONS WE NEED Among the changes which the United Nations has witnessed was the proliferation of newly-independent states, following the end of the Second World War. Many of these newly-independent states are developing countries which account for more than half of the world’s states and population.

The United Nations make-up, inclusive of the Security Council, must reflect this reality. The Security Council, in

particular, should be reformed to increase the number of developing countries that are permanent members.

Mr. President, developing countries continue to face constraints associated with limited access to development financing. Improved access to such financing is vital for the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals. The United Nations must continue to champion the need for great access to development financing for developing states.

The UN has a special duty to ensure that members’ obligations under international agreements are fulfilled and that setbacks in meeting commitments are reversed. Guyana applauds the ongoing work on reform of the United Nations development system (UNDS). We believe, however, that there should be greater focus on reforms that are tailored to allow the UN to respond adequately to existing and emerging gaps in development and to find solutions to existing threats.

COMMITMENT TO MULTILATERALISM Mr. President, multilateralism is the key to unlocking solutions to humanity’s problems. The ongoing public health and climate crises have demonstrated that it is in the common interest of humanity that we fully embrace the ideals of multilateralism.

As a testimony to Guyana’s commitment to multilateralism, in January of this year we assumed the Chairmanship of the Group of 77 and China. Our statement to the world is that a state’s capacity for leadership is not constrained by its size.

A product of our multilateral efforts is the United Nations development agenda. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development remains a viable plan of action to shift the world onto a sustainable and resilient path. In this critical Decade of Action and Delivery for Sustainable Development, we must be fully focused on eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions. No one must be left behind.

At this time, an earnest and thorough assessment of the development agenda is warranted, with a view to recommitting ourselves to its aims. It is therefore regrettable that we missed the opportunity to adopt a robust outcome document at the conclusion of the 2020 High-Level segment of the Economic and Social Council and the High-Level Political Forum on sustainable development.

Global partnerships for development have never been more urgent in order to mobilize the means to implement the ‘Agenda’. My government believes that both the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council should play a more proactive role in catalyzing partnerships and should serve as platforms for ensuring coherence in the joint economic, environmental, and socio-political initiatives being undertaken.

Now more than ever, we need a resurgence of political will and commitment to protect the multilateral architecture and institutions, including the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Guyana reposes confidence in this institution. We are committed to the rule of international law, inclusive of the peaceful resolution of disputes.

In March 2018, Guyana filed its application in the International Court of Justice seeking an affirmation of the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award and the international boundary that it established. We are happy to report that on the 30th of June, 2020 the ICJ held its first virtual hearing on the controversy involving Guyana and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Regrettably, Venezuela has refused to participate in the hearing. Guyana now awaits the determination of the ICJ on whether the Court has jurisdiction to proceed to hearing the merits of the case.

COVID-19 Mr. President, as we consider

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WEEKEND MIRROR 26-27 SEPTEMBER, 2020

‘Jobs the right path for Over $250M from SLED programme economic growth’ – Jagdeo unaccounted for – Dharamlall T A he government’s commitment to ensuring that Guyanese are once again financially empowered was reiterated by Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo.

During his presentation, the Vice President criticised the former APNU+AFC administration for their polices which he labelled “anti-poor and anti-growth”. “The majority of our people is employed within the Private Sector, and therefore, you have to support Private Sector growth if you want our people to be employed and enjoy a great standard of living,” Dr. Jagdeo said, in explaining the budgetary allocations.

The Vice President said the former administration had no economic policy in place and therefore had a “disjointed approach” to economic development. Dr. Jagdeo, an economist, said their system was based on taxation and consumption. “The People’s Progressive Party does not

believe that collecting more taxes is a sign of progress; it is not. We believe that creating jobs and welfare is the right path for the country and economic growth,” he added.

Jagdeo said the former regime displayed a blatant disregard for a welfare policy with no proper plan in place which was evident in the dismissal of thousands of sugar workers. “You could not have a welfare policy and dismantle the Ministry of Labour, send home 7,000 sugar workers and put them on the breadline; take away $1.3 billion from the children through the cash grant and take away $600 million from the pensioners through free water; tax medicine and hinterland travel, and increase fees by 500 per cent,” he told the National Assembly.

The money, Dr. Jagdeo said, was used in the “Public Sector employment of cronies, friends, families.” He said, “The Public Service employment grew from 2014

to 2019 … nearly 10,000 more individuals were added to the Ministry of Finance payroll. Mr. Speaker, that is where the money was spent.”

He added money was squandered on exuberant salaries and renting buildings for additional offices, among other things. “That was their welfare; welfare for themselves while the ordinary man, the vendor, the taxi driver, the sugar worker, the bauxite worker had to contend with paying higher taxes on water, electricity, medicine, foodstuff...while this cabal just drove around trying to steal the resources of the country,” the Vice President said.

Dr. Jagdeo declared that era to be over and added that the PPP/C administration intends to “ensure the government is competent, properly staffed and that monies go back to people through lower taxes and the monies stay with people so they can spend more.”

whopping $250-plus million from the Sustainable Livelihood and Entrepreneurial Development (SLED) fund cannot be accounted for, according to Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall.

He made this revelation on the floor of the National Assembly during Wednesday consideration of Estimates and Expenditure of the 2020 Budget. At the time, Dharamlall was being questioned by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament Ganesh Mahipaul about $105 million being allocated for the programme.

The Minister said, “SLED is a project under this Ministry because we want to reach out to communities to rebuild lives. I must indicate to you that when we conduct the audit of SLED in its previous life, many on the Opposition side are going to face prosecution.

“Under the previous SLED, over $250 million last year, there is no record. As a matter of fact, our investigations have so far revealed that the paperwork for the $250

million last year, a lot of it was deposited at Haags Bosch.”

He noted that some of the disbursements from the SLED programme were tracked to a shop built by a councillor on Government reserves. He also referred to the case of Opposition Chief Whip Christopher Jones.

On August 21, 2020, ranks from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown, swooped down on Jones’s home to carry out a search after an audit at the then Social Protection Ministry revealed that the Ministry approved $4.8 million under the Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) administration for the procurement of equipment for a barbershop under the SLED programme.

The monies were all spent by December 2019; however, $1 million in items were not delivered and the project was not executed. Police Headquarters had said that items fitting the description of the State assets were recovered from Jones’s residence. Jones was arrested and placed on $100,000 bail, pending investigations. He subsequently filed a lawsuit

against the State for what he termed as “wrongful arrest” and the trespass on and unlawful search of his home which led to the seizure of his 18 barber chairs and two air conditioning units.

Dharamlall said, “SLED had no system when we got into Government, so a system will be put in place. It is apparent that in the last administration of SLED, there was no criteria in terms of its implementation. And that is why you find high officials of the last regime benefiting to the tune of millions of dollars. That is why you find that over $250 million cannot be accounted for. And that is why you will find that those who misspent the resources of the taxpayers, are going to be held accountable.”

The SLED programme, which was implemented through the former Social Protection Ministry, is a programme which was supposed to give grants to cooperatives and friendly societies to equip them to engage in sustainable, entrepreneurial ventures. Specifically, it was supposed to be used to uplift disadvantaged youths.

Gov’t refutes staged questions allegation during Budget Estimates Ali disappointed with...

T

he People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) government on denied that it was putting up its own Members of Parliament to ask questions about the Budget estimates in the National Assembly.

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, the Hon. Gail Teixeira said accusations from Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Joseph Harmon were untrue.

On the APNU+AFC Facebook page, Mr. Harmon said that while dealing

with matters in the National Assembly concerning the Estimates and Expenditure for 2020, the PPP Members of Parliament chose to ask their own Minister questions which they felt would embarrass the past administration.

However, Minister Teixeira refuted this while noting that any MP could raise questions during a budget debate.

“This is about transparency and accountability. This is money from January to July that was spent without parliamentary cover because there

was no Budget,” Minister Teixeira said.

She explained that January to July represented what was spent, August to September was based on projections, and that October to December were requests. Minister Teixeira asserted, “I don’t need to devise a strategy for my MPs. MPs had an interest to know how monies were used.”

The claim by the Opposition APNU+AFC Coalition was made as scrutiny of Budget 2020 got underway.

not going to accept it. We cannot accept it, so it has to be fixed. It has to be delivered in accordance to what was in the original contract,” the President said.

President Ali said that an investigation is likely to be launched into the entire airport expansion project.

He also pointed to the importance of a joint approach to the realisation of the project.

He maintained that the works completed do not reflect the monies spent.

Meanwhile, the Chinese

Ambassador, Cui Jianchun, agreed that the provisions in the original contract have to be honoured. He pointed to the importance of the meeting and pledged that he will play his part to ensure that the project is completed.

Following the project update presentation, the Head of State along with the representatives from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport and the China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) toured the facility to inspect several areas including the

President Ali lobbies for developing... the state of our world today, we must acknowledge the challenges facing us and their implications for the progress and prosperity of our peoples. Foremost on that list is the COVID-19 pandemic and its multidimensional impacts. The pandemic has launched an attack on the health and well-being of our people while the economy has become a causality of this assault. This pandemic is reversing our gains on health, poverty and education.

More than ever, the resolve of the United Nations is being tested and it is evident

that no single country can overcome the debilitating effects alone. This reality must inform the trajectory of the United Nations so that it can support the efforts of developing countries to rebuild and to become more resilient.

A strong multilateral system is required for collective action to stem this pandemic.

I acknowledge the support of UN agencies in my country’s response to the COVID-19 crisis. We trust and support the efforts of the UN system to ensure fair, transparent and timely global access to preventive tools, equipment

and materials for testing. In this regard, we recognize the important role of the World Health Organization in coordinating the response of the UN system and in global public health preparedness and response. We look forward to increased international cooperation to contain, mitigate and defeat the pandemic.

CLIMATE CRISIS Mr. President, competing and compounded by the pandemic is climate change.

Every year is another record breaking year for extreme weather conditions and cli-

mate events. As a low-lying coastal State, Guyana, is acutely aware of the high toll of these extreme weather conditions. But equally costly is climate resilience.

Developing countries are thus set between a rock and a hard place. The only way to ease this burden is through concerted and balanced climate action, especially via mitigation, climate financing, technical cooperation and capacity building. We also urge all States to set ambitious targets in their Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris

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departure area and an air bridge.

As part of the original contract, the CHEC was expected to tear down the existing terminal building, and construct a new one which could accommodate eight air bridges. But what the contract actually did was facilitate the refurbishing of the terminal building and installation of only four air bridges. There are also a myriad of other issues plaguing the facility including a malfunctioning sewerage system.

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Agreement and to work earnestly towards them.

Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) reflects our national development agenda. The strategy will ensure that we fulfill our Nationally Determined Contributions and place our country along a path of sustainable and climate-resilient development.

Mr. President, progress on the Sustainable Development Agenda will be impeded by conflicts. We therefore must continue to devote our collective efforts towards the achievement of peace in

every region of the globe.

Mr. President, the future we want and the United Nations that we need are in our hands. It is ours to fashion.

History must not find us victims of inaction or succumbing to failure.

Multilateralism is the pathway to achieving our ends. We must collectively work to preserve this instrument and to strengthen the United Nations as we build a better world for our generation and those to follow.

I thank you, and God bless all the peoples of this planet. (September 23, 2020)

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WEEKEND MIRROR 26-27 SEPTEMBER, 2020

Guyana’s COVID-19 cases at 2,579 ‒ deaths up to 71

T

he Ministry of Public Health disclosed that Guyana now has 2,579 confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19).

The country’s record of deaths stands at 71. The first COVID-19 death was recoded on March 11, 2020.

To date, a total of 12,753 tests have been administered. Additionally, there have been 1,483 recoveries to date. Guyana’s cases have shown that persons between the ages of 20

to 29 are mostly affected, unlike the trend in other countries.

Cases have been reported in most all of Guyana’s 10 Administrative Regions.

Persons with symptoms of COVID-19 are asked to call the COVID-19 hotline numbers 231 1166, 226 7480 or 180/181 for assistance.

Further, a study done released on April 1, 2020, by the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) and the Ministry of Public Health indicated that Guyana could see

over 20,000 cases of the coronavirus.

To date, the virus has hit over 210 countries globally and over 31 million people having been confirmed as victims of COVID-19, while there have been over 966,000 deaths.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus. Most people infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. Older people

and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.

The incubation period for COVID-19, which is the time between exposure to the virus and symptom onset, is on average 5-6 days, but can be as long as 14 days. The best way to prevent and slow down transmission is be well informed about the COVID-19 virus, the disease it causes and how it spreads. Protect yourself and others from infection by

washing your hands or using an alcohol based rub frequently and not touching your face. The COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes, so it’s important that you also practice respiratory etiquette (for example, by coughing into a flexed elbow).

At this time, there are no specific vaccines or treatments for COVID-19, although trials are being conducted.

How the aging immune system makes older people vulnerable to COVID-19 (New York Times) COVID-19 patients who are 80 or older are hundreds of times more likely to die than those under 40.

That’s partly because they are more likely to have underlying conditions — like diabetes and lung disease — that seem to make the body more vulnerable to COVID-19.

But some scientists suggest another likely, if underappreciated, driver of this increased risk: the aging immune system.

The changes that ripple through our network of immune cells as the decades pass are complex, resulting in an overreaction here, a delayed response there and over all, a strangely altered landscape of immunity.

Scientists who study the aging immune system say that understanding it may lead not only to a clearer sense of how age is connected to disease vulnerability, but to better strategies for vaccines and treatments for COVID-19.

“I felt like I was shouting at people, ‘This is what’s going on!’ but no one was listening,” said Arne Akbar, a professor of immunology at University College London who recently published an article in the journal Science explaining the state of research on the aging immune system.

When a virus infiltrates the body, cells in the first line of defense act swiftly and violently — sending out alerts and instructions to other cells, and provoking inflammation to start knocking down the virus.

The “innate” immune system, as it’s called, also happens to be responsible for cleaning up damaged cells, misfolded proteins and other detritus in the body, even when there’s no infection to fight.

In older people, such waste seems to outrun the immune system’s ability to clear it, however, said Dr. Eric Verdin, the chief executive of the

Buck Institute for Research on Aging in Novato, Calif. The innate immune system grows overwhelmed, and slides into a constant state of alert and inflammation.

At the same time, elderly cells in tissues throughout the body are thought to change with age, releasing inflammatory substances of their own.

“They are not just benign, like old nice grandparents,” Dr. Akbar said. “They’re actually very cantankerous.”

As a result, even perfectly healthy 65-year-olds usually have higher levels of immune proteins, like cytokines, involved in inflammation than younger people do. This heightened state of chronic inflammation, sometimes called “inflammaging,” is linked to frailty — older adults with higher levels of it may be more fragile and less mobile.

And it also means that fighting off pathogens becomes more complicated: All of this baseline inflammatory chaos in an aging body makes it harder for the messages sent out by the innate immune system to reach their targets.

On top of that, there’s the added danger that the innate immune system may overreact.

“We think that this is one of the reasons older individuals respond poorly to COVID-19,” said Dr. Verdin.

Dr. Verdin and other experts said the aging immune system might be linked to reports of severe COVID-19 culminating in a cytokine storm, a reaction that causes high numbers of immune messengers to flood the body and can lead to organ failure.

This inflammation may also be part of why vaccines, whose effectiveness relies on a robust reaction from the immune system, don’t work as well in older people — an effect that’s likely to extend to COVID-19 vaccines. Dr. Akbar and his colleagues have found that people with high levels of inflammation

tended to have weaker immune responses to pieces of the chickenpox virus, for example. And when they took an anti-inflammatory drug for four days before being injected, their immune responses improved.

A SECOND WAVE Several days after the innate immune response begins, the body begins a second wave of attacks against the viral invader. This adaptive immune system response is more targeted than the first, methodically destroying cells infected by this specific virus.

But in older bodies, the adaptive response not only takes longer to get into gear, it arrives to find a scene of inflammatory pandemonium, said Amber Mueller, a postdoctoral researcher at Harvard Medical School who co-authored a paper published in May about COVID-19 and aging. Think of firefighters coming to put out a house fire, she said.

“You have a whole neighborhood of pedestrians or bystanders that are just hanging around, screaming their heads off, causing chaos,” she said.

“To the point that it makes it harder for the firefighters to find the fire — to find the infection — and then put it out effectively.”

These delays mean that the pathogen has already made many copies of itself by the time the adaptive immune system gets to work and gains a foothold that might not have been available in a younger person. Additionally, older people have fewer fresh T cells, important players in the adaptive response that are trained to hunt down cells infected with a specific pathogen.

When everything is working correctly, successful T cells make copies of themselves so that at the height of the infection, the body is swarming with them. Afterward, a few remain to prime

us against return attacks from the same virus.

The supply of T cells that hasn’t already been assigned a pathogen dwindles over the decades. Those that remain may not be as good at copying themselves as the cells in younger people. And they may have trouble making the transition to patrolling the body against future attacks, said Dr. Shabnam Salimi, a professor of epidemiology and public health at the University of Maryland School of Medicine who wrote a recent paper about the interaction between aging and COVID-19.

“All these together make the immune system less functional during aging,” Dr. Salimi said.

DRUG POTENTIAL Research investigating COVID-19 treatments will have to take into account the specific cells and substances that go awry when the immune system ages, and drugs under investigation for fighting aging may be useful against the coronavirus, write Dr. Salimi and her colleague

John Hamlyn in their article.

So far, little has been straightforward when it comes to treatments for COVID-19.

Since it became clear that the virus sometimes provokes an out-of-control immune response, researchers have been testing whether reducing inflammation might help. Drugs that tamp down the levels of cytokines, like those used for treating rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases, have not shown success in fighting the virus. What’s more, chloroquine, which can help inhibit the aging of cells, caused increased mortality in COVID-19 clinical trials.

But the steroid dexamethasone, a potent anti-inflammatory, has been shown to reduce deaths from the virus.

It resulted in one-third fewer deaths in people on ventilators and one-fifth fewer deaths in those on oxygen, according to a study published in June.

(The drug may be ineffective, or even harmful, for patients in the early stages of the disease, however.)

At this point, it’s important to design studies that take

into account the special immune status of aging populations. Understanding these immune changes may help in finding treatments that work for older COVID-19 patients but, Dr. Salimi said, it may also help younger people who may have some of the same problems without knowing it.

It’s not just older people who have abnormally high levels of inflammation, or chinks in their immunological armor. It can happen to younger people as well.

In one recent study, for example, researchers found that young men with severe COVID-19 had mutations in the gene for a certain cell receptor. This receptor, some researchers suspect, grows scarcer as we age.

This particular immune alteration seems linked to why, in this case, the virus caused serious disease in young people with no pre-existing conditions and in apparent good health.

“Even younger people may experience a similar pattern of severe disease as older people,” Dr. Salimi said.

Public Servants to benefit from a range of provisions in Budget 2020 – Ali

P

ublic servants have been assured by President Dr. Irfaan Ali that they will benefit from a wide range of provisions in the 2020 Budget, even though they will not see a retroactive increase in their salaries for this year.

The Head of State made this pronouncement during an interview with the Caribbean Times News, New York, on Tuesday (September 22, 2020) where he reminded of several critical relief mea-

sures in Budget 2020, which will directly impact the lives of all Guyanese, including public servants.

He said, “Our focus was to put people back to work and put back more money in people’s pockets. So the public servants will still benefit, their children will still benefit from the cash grants, the uniform allowance; they will still benefit from the removal of vat on electricity and water, they will still

benefit from a number of programmes that we have in the budget. The help that we gave to the productive sector will allow them to go back into production which will create jobs, create opportunities and all of this will help every segment and sector of the economy.”

President Ali sought to give clarity on the Government’s decisions regarding budgetary allocations. “As you are aware this is an emer-

gency budget. We only have four months to the end of the year and we have taken up a broken system. As a matter of fact, more than B$30 in the budget are liabilities. Expenses that were incurred by the previous government that now has to be paid. So the space in the budget was not there to allow for everything that we wanted to do.”

Notwithstanding, the Head of State pointed out that the Government will address

key long-term, medium-term and short term issues in the Budget to be presented early 2021.

President Ali also explained that US$60M was also reprogrammed to address COVID-19 issues.

Another $1.8B earmarked to support Guyanese households battling COVID-19 impacts

O

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Committed to Excellence

“All of these environmental changes, both external, internal and dynamics would have created some gaps in terms of what more we would have liked to give,” he added.

Budget 2020 is approximately $330 billion.

ver the next three months, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government will roll out, as promised, a programme of support to households battling the impacts of theCOVID-19 pandemic, according to Prime Minister, Mark Phillips.

He explained that, in addition to other forms of direct and indirect support to Guyanese families, some $1.8B has been budget for the supply and distribution of hampers to some 93,000 households across Guyana.

Of the budget, the Phillips explained that $133M will be allocated to transport the hampers to communities.

He noted too that the government intends on working with Chairpersons and Toshaos of each region to ensure that all services are procured from the locals.

According to the Prime Minister, this COVID-19 relief is one that will benefit Guyanese all across Guyana, as he highlighted that an estimated 38,000 households in the hinterlands will also be in receipt of those pre-packaged supplies.

Further, he explained that in place is a process

that entails online applications and based on those responses, there would follow an assessment programme which determines who qualifies for those hampers. Persons on the coast can apply online to pre-qualify for a hamper or any other form of government assistance, he said.

“The Economic and Social Sub-Committee of the COVID-19 Task Force, which is working through the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security and CDC, will manage the whole process to ensure all households benefits as the criteria mentions,” Prime Minister Phillips said.

He added, “Based on the work done by all the agencies including the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), 45% of the population is deemed as having the need to be given some sort of assistance and support during COVID-19. Based on that percentage we arrived at this target figure.”

This $1.8 billion allocation is in addition to the $4.5 billion relief, popularly known as the $25,000 cash grant measures which President Irfaan Ali announced earlier this month.

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